A special session could set an Oregon budget
By Terry Murry on Friday, June 2nd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – If the Oregon Legislature is forced to end the 2023 session with no budget in place, the state will run out of money by about Sept. 15. Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer said if that does happen due to the Republican denial of a quorum action, he expects Gov. Tina Kotek will call a special session to pass a budget after the session ends on June 25.
Kotek has declared that negotiations with both the Republicans and Democrats have reached an impasse. She did not indicate whether she would call the special session. Meanwhile, if one is called, Shafer said the Democrat majority will not be able to slip controversial House Bill 2002 onto that agenda.
“If no action has been taken by sine die (adjournment), that bill is dead,” Shafer said. “They have to start all over again in the next session. If they do a special session for the budget, that won’t be part of the equation.”
House Bill 2002 would allow abortions and gender identification treatments to those under the age of 18 without requiring parental notification. Republicans see it as an erosion of parental rights.
