SALEM — After a double-dose of winter storms across the Willamette Valley knocked out power to hundreds of thousands from Portland to Salem, state government is trying to thaw out
Oregon governor, more lawmakers call for Rep. Hernandez to resign KATU Staff
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Governor Kate Brown called for Oregon State Representative Diego Hernandez to step down on Friday, amid sexual harassment allegations and outcry for his resignation from at least 27 other lawmakers.
Rep. Hernandez is accused of violating the Legislature s anti-harassment policy several times.
On Friday, the governor made a point to call on Hernandez to resign ahead of her COVID-19 briefing. The governor cited a new report and investigation that found that Hernandez created an intimidating and hostile work environment for several woman. Gov. Brown called those who have come forward with their allegations brave and courageous.
Democrats: Bipartisanship nice, results nicer gazettetimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gazettetimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Democratic leaders on Monday said they hope for bipartisanship in the 2021 Oregon Legislature.
But, they said, they won t let that goal hinder their desire to pass laws they consider crucial.
During an online preview of the Oregon Legislature held by the City Club of Portland on Jan. 25, Sen. Majority Leader Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, and House Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner, D-Portland, said Democrats goals were forged by the pandemic, wildfires and the calls for racial justice in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis
The agenda is transformation through crisis, Smith Warner said, citing 2020 s challenges. How do we learn from them and use them as an opportunity to really make meaningful change?
Originally published on January 22, 2021 6:25 am
In normal times, the first day of the legislative session would find the hallways of the Oregon state Capitol flooded with people lobbyists, legislative assistants, the public, reporters.
But these are not normal times.
Instead of being a place of bustling energy, the halls of the state Capitol held silence on Tuesday, the first official day of the 2021 session. Lawmakers delayed gathering after heeding warnings from law enforcement that violent demonstrations could coincide with the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. The Oregon state Capitol’s first-floor windows were boarded up.
The last-minute delay of legislative action is a fitting beginning for a session lawmakers expect to be more focused on responding to urgent crises than pursuing sweeping policy agendas.