In a repeat of last year’s legislative session, Republican leaders from both the Senate and the House walked out again this year, bringing the session to a grinding halt.
The decision was prompted by Senate Bill 1530, a carbon cap bill similar to the one that caused last year’s walk-out.
The bill, known as a “cap-and-invest” bill, would put a limit on a business’s carbon emissions, charging those that move beyond the cap, with the proceeds being used to fund clean energy projects in the communities which need them the most.
The intention of this walk-out was to block the bill’s passage – It worked.
GOVERNOR CONSIDERS EXECUTIVE ORDERS AIMED AT CARBON EMISSIONS: Gov. Brwon says, “In the coming days, I will be taking executive action to lower our greenhouse gas emissions. I am open to calling a special session if we can ensure it will benefit Oregonians. However, until legislative leaders bring me a plan for a functioning session I’m not going to waste taxpayer dollars on calling them back to the state capital.”
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS REACT: The governor’s statement has earned the approval of many environmental groups throughout the state, who have applauded Brown’s willingness to use executive power to make changes.
“In the fact of Republicans’ desertion of their jobs and abdication of their duties as legislators, we can take heart that they will not get the last word,” said Doug Moore, executive director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. “The Democratic leaders of this state, along with the people of this state, are sick and tired of Republicans shutting down our government.”
More info SB 1530 can be found at the State Legislator’s website.
By Thomas Nguyen
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