It is an unprecedented time for all of us, as we all figure out how to navigate this ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, with health concerns at hand, as well as additional negative fallout from the extensive and often unguided efforts of government bodies around the globe. Some of these being perhaps much more helpful than others. Here in Oregon, observers have witnessed Oregon stay rather healthy. Yet a recent spike in cases has prompted a reaction from officials such as Governor Kate Brown to issue mandates such as wearing masks in public, despite the questionable effectiveness of the process.

Governor Kate Brown had so far been hesitant to call the legislature to meet to attend to relief for Oregonians during the COVID-19 outbreak and address the state budget. Now, amidst nationwide protests for the taking of the life of one George Floyd by the police in Minnesota, the Oregon legislature has been called into a special legislative session to address policy bills such as police reform. Critics have offered that this gathering of legislators and staff in Salem for the session would clearly violate the government mandate by Kate Brown herself that there be no gatherings of more than 25 people. The minority party in the state, the Republicans, are among those voicing their concern.

Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod (R-Stayton) issued the following statement: “I fail to understand why the Governor is calling the legislature in for a special session, an expensive undertaking for taxpayers, in the middle of a pandemic, when it is not intended to address the state budget deficit. The intent of this special session should be to balance the state budget, which is the fundamental job of the legislature, and provide relief to Oregonians suffering from the ongoing COVID-19 economic disaster. Instead, the Governor is prioritizing policy bills.”

He continued, “Marion County is still in Phase 1, and by Governor Brown’s own rules, gatherings of more than 25 people are not permitted. The legislature alone, without support staff, is comprised of 90 people. Why not address the budget, the legislature’s first priority, instead of opening the door to costly follow-up sessions? “The Oregon Supreme Court recently upheld the Governor’s executive orders during the pandemic, giving her unrestricted power and the ability to make almost any of the policy bills slated for the special session into law without the legislature. The legislature is needed to balance the budget, and failing to make that the priority is disastrous for the state and Oregonians.”

Some critics have noted that as we do eventually manage to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak whether it be sooner or later, that many government entities will be hesitant to concede their recently acquired dominion.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-06-18 15:08:21

Last Update: 2020-06-18 16:11:51