A lot has been happening in the state of Oregon. From the
Governor sending the police after Senators to the #timberunity movement. I
thought I would break it down in an attempt to cut through some of the media
smoke and mirrors.
Just like every movement, this started before anyone showed
up to protest at the capital.
Dangers of Super
Majorities
This started when the Democratic Party won super majorities
in both the Oregon House and Senate. On top of that they won the Governorship
allowing for single party control of the entire state.
Some of the Democratic legislators felt that because they
had been granted a super majority by the voters that meant that they could push
through any legislation they wanted. To some it also meant that they did not
even need to consider Republican representatives or their concerns from their
constituents.
The Republicans were listened to in name only. Meaning they
were given time to talk but nothing they said was considered or taken
seriously. They had zero impact on legislation and were largely ignored by the
Democratic legislators.
This dismissive behavior was farther compounded when every
piece of legislation had an emergency clause attached to it. This put
legislation into effect immediately after it was signed into law and would make
it more difficult for the petition and referendum process to go forward.
They did not want these bills to go to be placed on the
ballot and go to the voters. They even intended to restrict the ability for
people to petition by introducing restrictions on how signatures could be
gathered. It would seem the Democratic Party did not want the people or the
Democratic process to take place.
The First Walk Out
The Republican Senators, tired of being relegated to seat
fillers walked out in protest to stop two bills. One on gun control (HB 978)
and the second on mandatory vaccines for kids attending public schools (HB
3063). The Oregon Senate is made up of 30 Senators, 18 Democrat and 11
Republican (one seat was empty due the passing of a Republican Senator Jackie
Winters, rest in peace Senator and thank you for your service).
In order to get any business done the Senate must have 2/3 quorum,
meaning they need at least 20 Senators present before they can pass
legislation. After a few days and much negotiation the Democrats struck a deal
to get the Republicans to return to the capital. Both bills were tabled
(returned to committee) and a bill that would increase taxes to ‘pay for
schools’ was passed.
The stipulations of the agreement were as follows:
The Republicans returned, the two bills were put aside for
2019 and they started to talk on HB2020. The bill number never changed and the
Republicans felt like they were being ignored again. Not to mention that the
bill had the emergency clause added in.
While the Republicans were deciding on what they should do,
Oregonians from rural communities showed up at the capital on Wednesday June 19th
to protest the bill. They drove their logging truck and heavy equipment in and
stood one the capitol steps.
This was #timberunity, a grassroots campaign made up of
loggers, truckers, ranchers, farmers and people from rural communities in
Oregon. They would be the ones paying the biggest price if HB2020 passed and
they showed up to express their concern. Chief among those concerns was that
their livelihoods would be taken away from them.
The Democrats did not seem to care, saying the sacrifice was
worth it if it helped stop climate change.
#Oregon11
The Republican Senators, listening to their constituents,
frustrated that their concerns are being ignored by the majority, and believing
that the deal to get them returned was violated (HB2020 was not reset) used the
only tool available to them, they walked out.
Enraged at this act of defiance Democrats called upon the
Governor to compel the Senators to return. Governor Kate Brown gave the orders
to Oregon State Police to find the Senators and bring them back to the capital.
Senator Brian Boquist said to Oregon State Police
superintendent “Send bachelors and come heavily
armed. I’m not going to be a political prisoner in the state of Oregon. It’s
just that simple.” Republican Senators flee the state to prevent them
from being rounded up by the police to be used as seat fillers in order to pass
legislation that they believed would damage the people in the communities they
represent.
The Republican Senators become
known as the #Oregon11. To retaliate the Democrats plan on fining the missing
Senators $500/day of legislative session they miss. They then plan on keeping
the session open all weekend in an attempt to increase this penalty.
Democrats and the media call on Republicans to return,
saying they have a duty to be at the capital to work for the people who voted
them into office. Republicans and their supporters refuse knowing that by
returning to the capital they will simply be seat fillers and unable to
represent their constituents.
#timberunity and Oregon GOP plans a protest for Saturday
(Occupy the Capital) to show support for #Oregon11 and to oppose HB2020. Senate
Democrats, citing fears that ‘militia groups’ are going to show up at the
capital cancel Saturday’s session.
No proof or source has been provided for these threats and
no arrests have been made at the time of this writing. Militia groups offered
protection to the fleeing Senators but no proof has been made public showing
that they made threats to invade the capitol building. Oregon GOP and
#timberunity show up at the capital to protest.
Democratic State Rep Paul Evens makes a statement
on twitter comparing the protesters and the #Oregon11 to terrorists. The
legislative session is set to end June 30th and the Republican
Senators have shown no signs of returning before then.
Freedom Rally
Thursday June 27th #timberunity, rural
communities, Republicans and many others hold one of the largest rallies at the
State capital ever. Trucks parade around the building honking their horns,
people giving speeches on the steps of the capitol building, and protesters
with signs stand together outside in order to oppose HB2020 and show support
for the #Oregon11.
Senate President Peter Courtney announced that he no longer
has the votes needed to pass HB2020 when a few members of his party decided
they will not vote for the bill. The Progressive members of the Democratic
Party believed that with a super majority that they could do whatever they
wanted.
They believed they could pass legislation with impunity and
that they knew what was best for Oregonians, even better than Oregonians themselves.
So far they have not succeeded with HB2020, but they have succeeded in one
area, uniting rural and working Oregonians and energizing them to speak up and
say no more.
#timberunity #Oregon11
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