Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer, left, and Rep. Brian Clem, D-Salem, wait to see the outcome of a vote on House Bill 4303 during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
For the second time in 2020, Oregon legislators gathered at the Capitol in a special session, this time to deal with pressing budget worries.
The pandemic has clobbered state revenues, leaving the budget about $1.2 billion short to cover expenses for the second year of the biennium, which started July 1.
But much of the work, finished not long before midnight Monday, leaves most state agencies continuing operations. Legislators shifted millions from a state school fund to keep local school budgets largely intact and pulled $200 million more from a state reserve intended to help pay down liability for state retirements in PERS.
Gov. Kate Brown said on Tuesday that she was concerned that legislators were dipping into state reserves, warning that even more severe budget times were ahead. She hinted that she might stop the use of PERS money, saying “all options” were open. She took the occasion in speaking with reporters to say that a new stimulus package was needed from Congress that included relief money for states, suggesting the money could be used to cover some of the budget problems Oregon is facing.
Nearly every state agency had its budget trimmed, but much of the savings will come from leaving vacant jobs empty rather than laying off people or cutting state services. Money allocated to start new programs also was stripped in some instances.
Legislators worked in a relatively quiet Capitol. The building was closed to the public and no live testimony – a staple of legislative work – was taken from citizens. Lobbyists who typically work the hallways hard to advance their causes also were left on the outside.
Representative Courtney Neron votes during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Members of the House of Representatives briefly step into the chamber to vote in person during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. To observe social distancing, many representatives spent the day outside of the chamber and only came into the room to vote. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The Oregon Senate and House of Representatives met during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The Oregon Senate and House of Representatives met during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Members of the House of Representatives briefly step into the chamber to vote in person during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. To observe social distancing, many representatives spent the day outside of the chamber and only came into the room to vote. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Senator Dennis Linthicum R-Klamath Falls, wears a bandana as a face-mask during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The Oregon Senate and House of Representatives met during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Senate Minority Leader Fred Girod, R-Stayton speaks with Sen. Lynn Findley R-Vale, during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, leads the proceedings during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Senate Minority Leader Fred Girod, R-Stayton speaks out against a statement by Gov. Kate Brown blaming Republicans after Senate Bill 1702 was killed in committee during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Brian McKinley, House Sergeant at Arms, wears a Oregon House of Representatives face mask during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The Oregon Senate and House of Representatives met during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, left, speaks with Senate Minority Leader Fred Girod, R-Stayton during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton speaks during a joint committee work session during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
David Gerstenfeld, acting director of the Oregon Employment Department, speaks via video-chat during a joint-committee work session at a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton speaks during a joint committee work session during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A sign outside of the elevators at the at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Sen. Peter Courtney, D-Salem voices frustration at delays in the day’s schedule during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Sen. Peter Courtney, D-Salem and House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland listen during a joint-committee work session at a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A joint-committee work session during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Arrows designate the flow of traffic in the offices for senate members a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Sen. Lynn Findley R-Vale speaks during the joint committee work session during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. Members of the legislature were spaced out and in masks to promote social distancing and safety guidelines. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Sen. Peter Courtney, D-Salem and House Speaker Tina Kotek D-Portland speak during a joint-committee work session at a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
