FILE – Empty chairs are shown in the Senate chambers prior to a legislative session at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Ore., May 11, 2023. The longest-ever walkout in the Oregon Legislature reached its fourth week on Wednesday, May, 31, 2023, as the enforceability of a ballot measure that would disqualify the boycotters from reelection in their next term appeared in doubt. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman, File) Amanda Loman/AP

Absent Oregon GOP state senators face $325 fines if walkout continues

Eden Villalovas June 01, 11:15 PMJune 01, 11:16 PM Video Embed

The Oregon state Senate Republicans are approaching nearly a month of a walkout, the longest-ever walkout in the legislature.

Democratic Majority Leader Kate Lieber requested fines for absent senators, insisting on a penalty of $325 a day, saying in a press release, “Oregonians who do not show up to work don’t get paid.”

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Two Republican state senators, David Brock Smith and Dick Anderson voted against the fines, but the measure passed 16-2 on Thursday, according to KOIN 6.

Senate President Rob Wagner denounced the absent GOP lawmakers, saying they were “blocking the will of the people in opposition to legislation they personally don’t like,” according to a statement reported in Oregon Public Broadcasting.

A total of 10 senators are barred from holding office next term under Oregon state law due to multiple absences. Measure 113 was approved last November. It disqualifies lawmakers with 10 unexcused absences from seeking reelection.

Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp, who has been a walkout leader among fellow GOP members, criticized Wagner for facilitating an “unconditional agenda.”

“Senate Republicans don’t feel compelled to entertain his political theater,” Knopp said in a press statement. “In fact, we suggest President Wagner pay our fines since it is his behavior that galvanized our protest.”

The walkout started with Republican members opposing Democratic legislation, citing its failure to meet the criteria under Flesch test, which scores legislation based on the reading level of a text, according to a past Washington Examiner interview with Knopp.

Members said they want to halt about 20 bills from hitting the floor that failed to score a 60 or higher on the test to qualify for enactment, including those related to gun measures and abortion.

The session adjourns on June 25, and the fines, reflective of the legislators’ daily compensation, will start accruing on June 5, according to a press release from the state Senate Republican office.

Oregon Republicans have an extended history of walkouts over the years, gaining national attention for walking out in 2019 to oppose a climate change bill. GOP senators walked out in 2020 to stop Democratic climate legislation again.

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Gov. Tina Kotek (D-OR) has met with Senate Republicans multiple times in hopes of carrying on the 2023 session, but little progress has been made to end the boycotts.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Anderson and Brock Smith for comment.

© 2023 Washington Examiner

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