Oregon Democrats vote to fine absent senators amid GOP walkout

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

today

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Senate Democrats plan to start fining their absent colleagues amid a month-long Republican walkout, a move they hope will pressure boycotting lawmakers to return to the chamber as hundreds of bills languish amid the partisan stalemate.

In a procedural move Thursday, Democrats voted to fine senators $325 every time their absence denies the chamber the two-thirds quorum it needs to conduct business. The amount reflects lawmakers’ average daily pay, according to the office of Democratic Senate President Rob Wagner.

“Oregonians work for a living every day, and they don’t get paid when they don’t show up,” Wagner said while addressing the Senate. “We have a huge stack of bills sitting right over there on that cart, just waiting for us to take them up, to debate and to vote.”

The month-long Republican walkout — the longest-ever in the Oregon Legislature — once again prevented the Senate from reaching a quorum on Thursday. But Democratic Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, citing an article in the state constitution, requested that the Senate compel absent members to attend and fine absentees $325 for every day a quorum isn’t reached. Her request was voted on and approved by the other Democrats present on the Senate floor.




Read more: https://apnews.com/article/oregon-legislature-senate-republican-walkout-fine-eeae6aeea07e30b554efd9d7d55c5392

[House of Roberts]

1. If they have been gone a month,

they should lose a month's pay.

I have to ask, if the Oregon Senate can't constitute a necessary quorum, how can any vote held be binding?

[jimfields33]

3. That's a mystery. If they can vote for docked pay, they should vote for other stuff.

They’ll probably stagger so each one loses a day here and there.

[Stargazer99]

2. Hell fine them daily pay, fire them for not showing up for work like their owners would do to you

Oh I forgot they (Repubicans) are special not like you common worker

[SouthernLiberal]

4. Can't speak for Oregon

But in some state legislatures, changes to the rules are not considered part of the legislature's business. If it's true that fining state senators that deny the senate a quorum, then clearly this is a rule that can only implemented when there is no quorum.

I am planning to move to Oregon soon, so I guess I need to study at least the state constitution. I am hoping that it is easier to read than South Carolina's

[republianmushroom]

5. Good