Oregon Republicans Walk Out to Avoid Vote on Climate Change Bill (Again)

All but one of Oregon’s 12 Republican state senators walked out of the Capitol on Monday to prevent the Senate from reaching a quorum to vote on a cap-and-trade emissions bill. The next day, House Republicans followed suit with their own boycott. Both chambers need a two-thirds majority of legislators present before they can vote on any bill, which means that Democrats can be stymied from moving forward on legislation even though they have super majorities in both houses. Republican lawmakers used the same tactic last year to prevent the passage of a similar cap-and-trade bill meant to lower greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to stall bills that would have implemented a business tax, expanded vaccine requirements, and created gun control measures. On Tuesday, one moderate Republican from each chamber showed up. When Republicans left the Capitol last year many fled the state to avoid potential roundup by state troopers sent by Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat. The current cap-and-trade plan would institute an emissions cap on companies in sectors that have contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions, namely fossil fuels, electric utilities, and industrial manufacturers. Proponents of the bill say that placing a cap would give companies a financial incentive to reduce their emissions. Brown criticized the Senate boycott, saying that if Republicans don’t like the bill they should attend the legislative session to change it or vote against it. "This makes it very, very clear. The Senate Republicans who walked out are not against climate policy. They are against the democratic response. Oregonians should be outraged,” she said. Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger Jr. said that Republicans had “no other option” but to boycott. “Democrats refused to work with Republicans and denied every amendment that was presented. Pay attention Oregon—this is a true example of partisan politics,” he said. House Speaker Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said the boycott was a democratic crisis. “This is not a game. Voters elected us to do our job. The members who refuse to show up and do their jobs are saying to a large majority of Oregonians: your vote doesn’t matter,” she said. [Oregon Live; New York Times; The Hill]

DOMESTIC TERRORISM | An effort to expel Washington state Rep. Matt Shea failed when no Republicans in the legislature signed on to a letter to remove him. Shea, a Republican, has been accused by a state House investigation of “domestic terrorism” for planning and participating in three armed standoffs with the government. Shea has also published a manifesto that advocated for a religious war to force people to “obey Biblical law" and “if they do not yield—kill all males." Shea has called the accusations of terrorism false and part of a "Marxist smear campaign." House Republicans suspended Shea from their caucus, but he has refused to resign and intends to run for reelection. Democrats circulated a letter last week calling for an expulsion vote, which would require Republican support to reach the two-thirds majority. “It is clear that Rep. Shea must now face the consequences of his actions, and the responsible consequence of those actions is expulsion,” the letter reads. House Speaker Laurie Jinkins expressed exasperation with her Republican colleagues. “It is profoundly disappointing and, I believe, destructive to the institution that not a single Republican member of the House signed the letter … I will not spend another minute trying to convince my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to stand up for what is right,” Jinkins said. [KXLY; The Seattle Times]

CONCEALED CARRY | An Alabama lawmaker introduced a bill that would create a state database of people with concealed carry permits. Rep. Proncey Robertson, a Republican, said that law enforcement in the state needs such a system because the county-by-county application process that happens in sheriff’s offices doesn’t adequately secure applicants’ data. "When you go in there and give them your personal information, addresses, social security numbers, date of birth... all this sort of stuff to put on that, it’s sitting there in a very non-secure location,” Robertson said. Guns rights groups like BamaCarry have expressed opposition to the bill, fearing that it would lead to surveillance of gun owners. "They need to back off of trying to regulate people who lawfully carry weapons,” Eddie Fulmer with BamaCarry said. [WBRC]

MEDICAID RELIANCE | New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s 2021 budget will include a “corporate responsibility fee” on private employers that have at least 50 workers that rely on Medicaid. The plan would impose a fee of $150 per employee who uses Medicaid, a measure meant to incentivize employers to provide health insurance. The fee was also proposed in Murphy’s budget last year, but wasn’t enacted. Estimates say it would generate $180 million in state revenue. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

EAR PROTECTION | Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a law that will allow motorcyclists wear ear plugs and headphones while riding, something that previously was classified as a misdemeanor offense. Supporters of the bill said that earplugs will help prevent hearing damage caused by wind noises. [WTAP]