Oregon lawmakers return to Capitol to address virus relief
By SARA CLINEDecember 20, 2020 GMT
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) When Oregon lawmakers return to the Capitol building Monday they will consider four bills that many hope will ease some of the struggles ignited by the pandemic.
The bills, expected to be taken up during the one-day special legislative session, include a proposed eviction moratorium that includes $200 million in relief for landlords and tenants, a restaurant relief package that includes a provision legalizing cocktails to-go, a bill that would protect schools from some coronavirus-related lawsuits and a measure that would transfer $600 million in to the state’s emergency fund for COVID-19 and wildfire-response and recovery.
Oregon lawmakers return to Capitol to address virus relief bills
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) When Oregon lawmakers return to the Capitol building for a special session on Monday, they will consider four bills that many hope will ease some of the struggles ignited by the pandemic.
The bills, expected to be taken up during the one-day special legislative session, include a proposed eviction moratorium that includes $200 million in relief for landlords and tenants, a restaurant relief package that includes a provision legalizing cocktails to-go, a bill that would protect schools from some coronavirus-related lawsuits and a bill that would transfer $600 million in to the state’s emergency fund for COVID-19 and wildfire-response and recovery.
Such an in-person special session coming as COVID-19 surges once appeared unlikely.
Gov. Kate Brown is calling lawmakers to Salem on Monday for what she says will be a one-day special session to address the state’s most pressing concerns.
While remaining vague about exactly which bills she would like to see move forward, the governor announced Tuesday morning that she’d prioritize $800 million in “relief” for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s historic wildfires.
“It is clear that states must act on their own to provide a bridge until federal help arrives,” Brown said in a statement. “This is why I am calling on legislators from both sides of the aisle to come together in the best interests of the state.”
Gov. Brown calls special session; proposes $800M relief package Connor Radnovich, Salem Statesman Journal
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Gov. Kate Brown has called the Oregon Legislature to meet Monday to take up an $800 million relief package to assist Oregonians still reeling from destructive wildfires and the coronavirus pandemic.
It will be the third special session of the year.
Included in the governor s proposal is $150 million in aid for landlords, $50 million for tenants and $600 million put into the Emergency Board committee s account, with $100 million dedicated to wildfire response and $400 million for the coronavirus.