BTW: I’m here in the Oregon Capitol for what’s looking to be the final day of this special session. Senate is in session now. House convening shortly. Gonna be a marathon. Here’s a rundown. #orpol #orleg opb.org/news/article/o…
The Senate just passed six bills in an hour, which I WOULD say bodes well for a session that includes around 20 bills, if all my similar predictions didn't come to naught. (I suspect lawmakers take them as a challenge.) (No proof.) #orleg
Not a great look for transparency in a session where the public has been locked out: As the Senate debates a bill creating protections for disabled patients, the actual language of the measure is not yet posted online. Have to dig into the amendment history to see it. #Orleg
Looks like Rep. Diego Hernandez has been tapped to carry one of the police bills on the House floor. Hernandez has been on leave, and faces harassment complaints from at least seven women, which he is fighting. He's also threatened to sue the House speaker. #orleg
The first of six police bills passes the House. This one will create a new task force/ committee to look into police issues. (It formerly was the bill that would give the DOJ oversight into investigations of police killings). Passes 55-2. Not sure who the no's were. #orleg
Another bill, to ban chokeholds except for in situations where lethal force is authorized, has passed the house, 52-5. Moves to the Senate now. #orleg
Just an aside: The Senate, which my colleague @Jeffmapes wisely opted to monitor today, has passed 13 bills already. The House? Two. :| #orleg
In the most contested vote yet today, the House just passed a bill prohibiting lenders from pursuing foreclosures against borrowers until Sept. 30. Payments missed up until that point would come due at the end of loan. Passes 39-18. #orleg
As House takes up a bill to create a state database of officer discipline, Rep Cheri Sprenger, R-Scio, says she won't vote yes because of a "whereas" statement in bill that says "police discipline records are purposefully obfuscated from the public." She is not pleased. #orleg
Sprenger equated that one statement with "winning the game and continuing to celebrate." #orleg
The House just passed a three month extension to the state's eviction moratorium. After it ends, tenants have six months to pay off back rent. Passed 43-14. Goes to Senate next. #orleg
The Senate is about to finally adjourn for the special session. House still has a WAYS to go. Once again, savvy call by the veteran @Jeffmapes in picking the Senate today. Was I bamboozled? Very possibly. It's always the ones you don't expect. #orleg
