Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (June 20, 2019)
A3 THE ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 Lawmakers clash over cap-and-trade bill Bill now before Senate By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE, AUBREY WIEBER and MARK MILLER Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — The Legisla- ture is mere days away from having to close up shop. But uncertainty has per- meated the Capitol for the past couple of days as state Senate Republicans threaten to stop proceedings over a landmark environmental policy. If the 11 Republican sen- ators decide not to show Thursday morning, when a bill to limit the state’s indus- trial polluters is up for a vote, that would mean the Senate won’t have the 20 members it needs to legally meet. The late-season shenani- gans — combined with some hemming and hawing among Democrats — could throw a wrench into the conclusion of the session and create a logjam of bills. Lawmakers have been busy working to allocate money for state programs like foster care and schools and to revise the state’s laws. Gov. Kate Brown has stepped in, saying she’d con- vene a special session to force cap and trade through if lawmakers don’t get it done by their June 30 deadline. Longstanding tension between Oregon’s environ- mentalists and timber indus- try emerged into full view in the Capitol this week. The day began Wednes- day with hordes of loggers and truckers showing up to protest against the goliath proposal to limit the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Sierra Dawn McClain/Capital Press A crowd of more than 300 protesters gathered outside the Capitol on Wednesday. With their trademark sus- penders and hard hats, log- gers presented a gritty con- trast to the environmental advocates in white “Clean Energy Jobs” T-shirts who sat in the lobbies of all three Senate offi ce fl oors for the second consecutive day, pro- viding a constant reminder of how they would like their senators to vote. In the second-fl oor Sen- ate lobby, as Democrats hud- dled in their caucus room Wednesday morning, mem- bers of each group stood elbow-to-elbow, waiting for a chance to make their pitch to senators: “kill the bill” or “pass it now.” Meanwhile, fl oor sessions in the Senate have seen more bickering, at a time of the session traditionally charac- terized by crabbiness and an eagerness to go home. Most of the 18 Demo- crats in the Senate are back- ing House Bill 2020. But the votes of Lau- rie Monnes Anderson, of Gresham, Arnie Roblan, of Coos Bay, Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, of Beaverton, and Betsy Johnson, of Scap- poose, have been in question for weeks. Johnson is a defi nite “no.” On Tuesday night, Monnes Anderson said she still hadn’t decided, but she’s confi dent some kind of deal among Democrats would be worked out. Democrats — who spoke only on background — are confi dent enough to roll the dice on a fl oor vote, where political pressure will be imposed on members like Steiner Hayward, who has a liberal constituency west of Portland. But it’s not clear when or if Democrats will get the chance. On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Herman Baertschiger Jr., R-Grants Pass, signaled that he and his caucus were prepared to walk out — denying the Senate a working majority to hold any votes at all — in order to stop the cap-and- trade bill. Brown responded that she’d order state troopers to round up senators if they attempt a boycott, and then threatened to call legislators into special session two days after adjournment to pass the bill. She said if Republican senators walk out again, it would violate “the oaths they took to speak for their con- stituents, as well as the word they gave to their colleagues Undocumented immigrants could get driver’s licenses under bill By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Oregon Capital Bureau They have taken to walking for miles to get to work or to that grocery store, on shoul- der-less, dim roads, to make sure that their children have their basic needs.” The bill, which still requires people to take the driver’s test and pay the associated fees for a license, would benefi t not just undoc- umented immigrants, Alonso Leon said. Oregonians who have lost their documentation for what- ever reason — to a natural disaster, domestic violence, or are homeless — could also get licenses to drive under the new provision. Hernandez emphasized public safety and pointed to Connecticut, which he said passed a similar bill four years ago and has seen a decline in hit-and-run incidents. Licensed driv- ers in Oregon must have car insurance. The vote was largely along party lines, with most Democrats voting for the bill and most Republicans vot- ing against it. However, there were some departures from the party line, including Rep. Cheri Helt, R- Bend. “We are a nation of immi- grants,” Helt said. “Immi- grants have contributed and continue to contribute to the well-being and the prog- ress of our American society, but currently they are faced with the diffi cult decision of choosing to take their kids to school or breaking the law. This bill will allow parents to safely and legally drive their children to school.” Consult a PROFESSIONAL Q: Do I have to have Part B Medicare coverage to enroll in an Medicare Supplement Plan? Steve Putman requirements to enroll in 503-440-1076 Policy is to have both Parts A (hospitalization) and Part Licensed in Oregon B (medically necessary i.e. and Washington doctors, lab work etc). putmanagency@gmail.com that I am Q: Now pregnant, my gums are more sensitive and bleed more easily. Why? WANTED Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber Northwest Hardwoods • Longview, WA e body during pregnancy A: Th is going through many Contact: John Anderson • 360-269-2500 JEFFREY M. LEINASSAR DMD, FAGD AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN A: One of the Medicare Products a Medicare Supplement 503/325-0310 1414 MARINE DRIVE, ASTORIA www.smileastoria.com hormonal changes and a common side eff ect is sensitive or infl amed gums. Meticulous oral hygiene and brushing is very important during this time to keep gums healthy and reduce chance of infection getting into the mothers bloodstream. Women who take proper oral hygiene measures and have a nutritious diet are more likely to avoid gum problems. Q: Can you recommend a free Office Suite? It’s more than just checking the engine; it’s technology & a rapidly-developing career Learn the tools & technology to keep people on the road LEO FINZI Astoria’s Best.com We match all Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 11-4 online 503-325-2300 prices! 6550 Liberty Lane | Astoria, OR 97103 | www.clatsopcc.edu Clatsop Community College es una institución de igualdad de oportunidades y de discriminación positiva. Para las declaraciones completas de No-discriminacion y de Ayuda a las personas discapacitadas, por favor visite https://www.clatsopcc.edu/ada. 10TH STREET Clatsop Community College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. ADA accessible. For the complete Non-Discrimination and Accomodations statements, please visit https://www. clatsopcc.edu/ada. ASTORIA TRANSIT CENTER SALEM — The state House on Tuesday passed legislation that would once again allow the state to issue driver’s licenses to undocu- mented immigrants and oth- ers who can’t prove they are legal residents. State Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon, D- Woodburn, and Rep. Diego Hernandez, D- Port- land, carried House Bill 2015, which passed 39-21 . Rep. Tiffi ny Mitchell, D-As- toria, voted for the bill. It now heads to the Senate. In 2014, Oregon voters rejected a measure to create a separate driver’s card for people without proof of legal residence. But the bill House mem- bers approved Tuesday would allow people who can’t prove they’re in the country legally to get the standard license now offered by the Depart- ment of Motor Vehicles start- ing in 2021. By that time, the fed- eral government will no lon- ger accept standard licenses as valid identifi cation for boarding an airplane or enter- ing secured federal govern- ment facilities. Next year, the state will begin issuing Real ID-compliant licenses, docu- ments that meet stricter fed- eral standards and require recipients to prove their res- idency status. Before the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, many states, including Oregon, allowed people to get driver’s licenses without proving their residence. In 2007, then-Gov. Ted Kulongoski, a Democrat, issued an executive order requiring people applying for driver’s licenses, driving per- mits and ID cards to docu- ment their citizenship or that they were in the U.S. legally. The federal government also began enacting stricter Real ID standards, which go into effect in October 2020. Without an avenue to get a driver’s license, many undoc- umented immigrants can’t legally get to work or to doc- tor’s appointments, Alonso Leon said in a fl oor speech. If they drive without a license, they risk being deported if caught. Alonso Leon described the impact on people who could not drive to get to work, school or other obligations. She said that being unable to drive legally is hard, espe- cially for people who live in rural areas, where public transportation is minimal or nonexistent. Some have lost their livelihoods because they don’t have a license, Alonso Leon said. “Imagine the pain and frustration that parents must feel when they can’t do that simple task,” Alonso Leon, whose voice began to break with emotion. “The simple task like going to the grocery store, to buy baby formula, diapers, over-the-counter medication. While this has been challenging for many parents, they are not deterred. and to me.” It was a swift escalation for Brown. When Republi- can senators shut down Sen- ate business by leaving the Capitol for a week in May, she responded by cutting a deal with Baertschiger to kill two bills most Democrats supported. Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, said Brown tak- ing a hard line now only infl ames the politics. “Six-gun Kate went over her skis this time,” he said Wednesday. But Sen. Mike Dembrow, D-Portland, said Brown showed she had resolve to back the Democrats and he said it “galvanized” the ranks in a tense moment. The high-profi le legisla- tion was originally going to get second read Wednesday morning — votes are typ- ically taken when legisla- tion is read for the third time — but the Senate fl oor ses- sion was hijacked as tensions boiled over. Boquist veered off-topic while inveighing against a bill. “We’re effectively in the midst of a political coup,” Boquist said, turning to the subject of the walkout and Brown’s threat to call the police on absent senators. To Peter Courtney, the Senate president, who was standing at the dais, Boquist warned, “If you don’t think these boots are for walk- ing, you’re fl at wrong, Mr. President. And if you send the state police to get me, h ell’s coming to visit you personally.” Since the May walkout, senators have been increas- ingly testy with one another. Boquist apologized Wednesday after Courtney asked senators to observe “decorum,” but Sen. Lew Frederick, D-Portland, wasn’t satisfi ed. “What I heard earlier was a threat, and the apology is not enough,” said Frederick. “That is the kind of thing that we can simply not allow on this fl oor.” Courtney conferred with Democratic and Republican leaders after the bill vote, and then recessed the Senate for a couple of hours to let emotions cool down. The vote will go forward Thursday unless Republican senators walk out and stop Senate business again. A spokeswoman from Courtney’s offi ce said he’s willing to ask Brown to dis- patch state police to bring Republicans back to the Capitol for a vote. He could also fi ne absent senators up to $500 per day. is a powerful office A: LibreOffice suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet, slide show presenter, database and drawing apps. It is compatible with Microsoft Office apps. With any computer purchased from us we install LibreOffice, Avast Antivirus, and 12 additional programs to enhance your computing experience. We also transfer any documents, email accounts, etc. from your old computer to your new one. Astoria’s Best, Your best value.
