BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Oregon GOP asks for pause in virtual legislative session due to winter storm power outages

SALEM, OR – JANUARY 15: Workers cover ground floor windows with plywood at the state Capitol building on January 15, 2021 in Salem, Oregon. Oregon Governor Kate Brown mobilized the states National Guard in preparation for far-right protests scheduled at the capitol this weekend. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

ovp test

mLife Diagnostics LLC: Oral Fluid Drug Testing

Male shot by female at Shreveport apartment

Class to create biodiverse backyard

Rules for outbursts at Caddo School Board Meeting


PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — In an effort to “preserve public access” to the Oregon Legislature, the House Republican leader urged the House Speaker Tuesday to pause the virtual 2021 session during mass power outages across the state.

Session activities and meetings were delayed this week due to an icy winter storm over the weekend. The session is slated to resume Wednesday, but more than 200,000 remained without power in western Oregon Tuesday afternoon.

“A virtual session requires access to power and internet for Oregonians to meaningfully participate in the legislative process,” House Republican Leader Christine Drazan said in a statement. “Legislative leaders committed to an open and transparent session. We must honor that commitment and not leave Oregonians behind in a rush to return to business as usual.”

The doors of Oregon’s Capitol building have been closed to the public since March to limit potential transmission of COVID-19. Committee meetings and hearings have been held virtually, but voting on bills are required to be held in person. In addition, the public can access copies of proposed bills online and submit testimony through the Legislature’s website.

Portland General Electric’s map of power outages listed about 200,000 customers without electricity, while Pacific Power listed about 20,000 in Salem and the Portland area.

House Speaker Tina Kote was part of the decision-making team to cancel Monday and Tuesday’s session days.

In a statement, Kotek’s office said she had been in contact with Republicans about whether to conduct meetings on Wednesday. The statement said it “was surprising and disappointing to see Leader Drazan’s press release. Staff are still checking with legislators and committee staff about the capacity to hold meetings tomorrow.”

Cline is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

West

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Clear

la

58°F Clear Feels like 58°
Wind
4 mph N
Humidity
40%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 51F. Winds light and variable.
51°F Clear skies. Low 51F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
4 mph N
Precip
0%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waxing Gibbous