Oregon Republicans walkout: Senator sightings across the state. Have you seen one? [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Updated Jun 22, 6:09 PM; Posted Jun 22, 11:33 AM

By The Oregonian staff and wire reports

Oregon Democratic leaders canceled plans to hold a session Saturday after several groups vowed to protest in support of the Republican senators’ who walked out this week to avoid a vote on a massive climate bill.

Marion County Republicans, which had organized an “Occupy the Senate” rally for Saturday and a number of Three Percenter militia groups canceled their Saturday protests, too, but encouraged turnout Sunday, when Senate President Peter Courtney had scheduled a 10 a.m. session. It’s unclear whether he’ll move forward with the Sunday plan.

The weekend meetings are relatively unusual, but they increased pressure on the Republican senators who are being fined $500 for every floor session they miss. Republican senators have scoffed at the fines, saying that they’re illegal and that they plan to sue over having their wages garnished.

On Saturday afternoon, 2018 Republican gubernatorial candidate Knute Buehler tweeted that he donated $5,000 to a political action committee formed to help the Republican senators. “The Dem supermajorities have taken advantage of power and gone too far,” wrote Buehler, a former state representative. He added that lawmakers have shown “a total disregard for how Oregonians will continue to afford to live, work, and raise a family here.”

More:
https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2019/06/oregon-republicans-walkout-senator-sightings-across-the-state-have-you-seen-one.html