Thread by @dirquez

Signing in from Salem, where the special session on redistricting has convened. The Senate has reached an agreement on rules suspension, meaning it can move quickly. It's not at all clear the House will get to the same place. #orleg #orpol

opb.org/article/2021/0…

2.5 hrs in, we're still waiting for... any legislative action at this #orleg special session. The Senate redistricting committee has now delayed a 9:30a hearing twice because things are "not quite ready."

And @Kathleen4Oregon announces another delay for Senate Redistricting Committee. I tried to ask what's going on, and she would only say "I'm good" as she awaited an elevator. Which is an interesting response. #orleg #orpol

@Kathleen4Oregon And the committee has reconvened. It quickly passes out SB 881, a congressional redistricting plan that's likely to give Dems 5-1 control of U.S. House districts. The bill passes out on a party-line vote, 3-2, with almost no discussion. #orpol #orleg

Now the committee takes up SB 882, which would rejigger the state's 90 legislative districts. It also passes out on a party-line vote. Dems can muscle these through the Senate, but on the House Side Republicans have parity on committee. #orleg #orpol

The Senate is convening to take up the redistricting plans. Sen. Dallas Heard, R-Myrtle Creek, who is also the chair of the Oregon State GOP, refuses to wear a mask and is ruled "out of order." He gets to stay, though. #orpol #orleg

The Senate passes SB 881, the Democrats' congressional map, on an 18-11 party-line vote. Now moving on to SB 882, the legislative plan. Hearing that the Senate could adjourn for the session after taking these up. #orpol #orleg

And the Senate has now passed the legislative maps, SB 882, also by a party-line vote (albeit a far more amicable one). They are now about to vote to adjourn for the session. But things are likely to be far more complicated on the House side. #orleg #orpol

The OR Senate votes -- again by party line! -- to adjourn for the session. That's unreal. Sine die bills are usually overwhelmingly popular. This one has a caveat, though: The Senate can be compelled to come back by the House, depending on how things go there. #orpol #orleg