The Post-Session Shuffle

Do you hear that sound? That pitter-patter of feet is what's known as the post-session shuffle, where legislators and staff leave their posts to run for office and work for other organizations, or replace those who left. Here's the list of confirmed and rumored switcheroos:

Reps. Mary Nolan, D-Portland (left), and Brad Witt, D-Clatskanie, are leaving the Oregon House to pursue other elected positions.Oregon House

Rep. Mary Nolan, D-Portland, is running for Portland City Council against Amanda Fritz. Sharon Meieran, a lawyer-turned-emergency room doctor, is thinking about running as a Democrat to replace Nolan.

Rep. Jeff Barker, D-Aloha, says he'll likely retire at the end of his term. No word yet on serious candidates looking to replace him.

Click to read more ...

House Democrats Shake Up the Caucus After Sine Die

Oregon House Democrats ousted Rep. Dave Hunt, D-Gladstone, as their caucus leader Thursday night and voted in Rep. Tina Kotek, D-North Portland.

The elections came just a half hour after the legislature adjourned Thursday afternoon. Throughout the legislative session, rumors circulated of division and discontent within the caucus, and much of the blame fell to Hunt.

The June 30 post-session caucus election had been scheduled for months, according to Hunt.

Other sources said the election was part of a deal worked out in December to end a power struggle within the caucus. Hunt's peers elected him caucus leader in December, following an election that left the House split with 30 Republicans and 30 Democrats. Hunt was Speaker of the House before the election, but he was replaced by Rep. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, whom many thought would be able to wor

Click to read more ...

Bi-Partisanship and Civility: The First Signs of Fracture?

That could be true based on several events last week – and it also could be true as legislators come face-to-face with the tough decisions they knew would dominate this session.

First, in a very unusual development last week, Rep. Bill Kennemer, R-Oregon City, took to the House floor to lambast Democratic leader Rep. Dave Hunt, D-Gladstone.

As The Oregonian put it: "Standing on the House floor, his hands shaking with nerves and anger, Republican Rep. Kennemer accused Democrats of 'lies, lies,' and then demanded the resignation of Rep. Hunt, the Democratic leader and former speaker."

This is unusual because there is a written code, and also a longstanding tradition, to avoid personal attacks on the House floor. Kennemer was interrupted once in his remarks, but then was able to continue to the end. He called for Hunt's resignation claiming Hunt and then- Majority Leader Mary Nolan, D-Portland, unfairly attacked Republicans on the campaign trail for favoring a sales tax.

Click to read more ...