Salem, Oregon — Senate Republicans staged a boycott Wednesday, preventing action on a proposed transportation tax referendum that Democrats sought to advance from November to May. The absence of all 12 Republican senators prompted Senate President Rob Wagner to suspend the session, delaying a series of critical votes until Thursday morning.
This boycott marks the first extensive interruption by Senate Republicans since early 2023, when they withheld participation for six weeks in opposition to Democratic initiatives, including efforts to expand abortion access and regulate firearms. As the state grapples with pressing transportation issues, Democrats are under tight deadlines to move the tax measure through the legislative process and onto Governor Tina Kotek’s desk.
The urgency surrounding the transportation tax legislation stems from the need for clarity on state funding for infrastructure projects. Democrats argue that moving the vote to May would expedite the process, while Republicans counter that doing so undermines the democratic intention of the referendum process, which originally scheduled the vote for November.
Oregon’s Measure 113 imposes repercussions for lawmakers accruing ten unexcused absences, raising the stakes of the protest. However, with time running short, Republicans could engage in further boycotts without immediate consequences under this law.
The Senate convened Wednesday morning with plans to address around a dozen proposals. While most Democratic senators arrived, the absence of their Republican counterparts thwarted any possibility of achieving a quorum necessary for legislative action. Following an extended wait for the opposing party, the Senate President opted to announce a recess.
In contrast, the House managed to maintain a quorum during its afternoon session despite the Republican walkout, allowing Democrats, along with a handful of GOP members, to pass several bills before adjourning. One of the measures stalled included the transportation tax proposal, which comes after similar tax hikes were delayed due to a successful Republican-led referendum campaign.
The proposed measures include a doubling of the state’s 0.1% payroll tax designated for public transit, an increase of six cents to the current 40 cents-per-gallon gas tax, and higher fees for car titles and registration. Funds from these measures are earmarked for road and bridge maintenance, essential to Oregon’s transportation infrastructure.
Governor Kotek faces a statutory deadline of February 25, 2024, to sign the bill if it is to reach voters in time for the May ballot. The situation is further complicated by a recent letter from Republican leaders asserting that the alteration of the referendum date contravenes existing legal protocols. Despite the partisan divide, there is a shared sentiment that voters may ultimately reject the proposed tax hikes, which presents both parties with strategic implications as they navigate the legislative landscape.
In a memo responding to the Republican objections, Secretary of State Tobias Read affirmed his commitment to uphold the law while ensuring the democratic process remains intact. As the political climate in Salem continues to evolve, both parties are acutely aware of the challenges and deadlines faced in pursuing their respective agendas.