x
Breaking News
More () »

Oregon Senate Republicans want assurances that cap-and-trade bill is dead

Democratic leadership on Tuesday said the landmark climate bill does not have the votes to pass. This comes on the sixth day of the GOP walkout.

SALEM, Ore. — Senate Republicans in Oregon say they need further assurances from Democrats about the fate of a landmark climate bill if they are going to put an end to their walkout that has dragged on into a sixth day.

Senate Minority Leader Herman Baertschiger said in a statement Tuesday that Republicans are still trying to "sort out" how to proceed in the wake of an announcement from Democratic leadership that a cap and trade plan has lost support among Democrats.

MORE: Top Democratic leaders say Oregon cap-and-trade bill doesn't have the votes to pass

Baertschiger says Republicans need further assurances that the legislation is at a "complete end." The Minority Leader adds that he still needs to have further conversations with Democrats so that "Republicans feel comfortable with the process."

“This is good news, however we are still trying to sort out the process," Baertschiger said in a statement. "The bill itself has been second read and a vote will have to take place. Republicans must be assured that the vote or motion will guarantee the bills complete end. We need to have further conversations so that the Republicans feel comfortable with the process."

Republicans have fled the Capitol-- and the state-- to avoid a vote on a statewide cap on carbon emissions. Senate President Peter Courtney begged Republicans to return saying there's still dozens of policy measures to approve before the Legislative session ends on Sunday.

RELATED: Gov. Brown: GOP walkout is 'dangerous' and 'cannot be rewarded'

Cap-and-trade bill

Under the proposed cap-and-trade bill, Oregon would put an overall limit on greenhouse gas emissions and auction off pollution "allowances" for each ton of carbon industries plan to emit. The legislation would lower that cap over time to encourage businesses to move away from fossil fuels: The state would reduce emissions to 45% below 1990 levels by 2035, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

Read HB 2020, the cap-and-trade bill 

Democrats say the measure is an efficient way to lower emissions while investing in low-income and rural communities' ability to adapt to climate change. It has the support of environmental groups, farmworkers and some trade unions.

Those opposed to the cap-and-trade plan say it would exacerbate a growing divide between the liberal, urban parts of the state and the rural areas, which tend to be more conservative. The plan would increase the cost of fuel, damaging small business, truckers and the logging industry, which is already in freefall due to federal environmental protections, they say.

LEARN MORE: What is cap-and-trade? 

More coverage of Oregon GOP walkout

Gov. Brown says climate change bill talks hinge on GOP return

'They deserted Oregonians': Protest calling for GOP senators to return to Salem planned for Tuesday

Republican leader says Senate Democrats 'lacked the courage' to face protesters at Oregon Capitol

Dozens show up Saturday at Oregon Capitol to support Republican senators who walked out

Militia threat shuts down Saturday Oregon Senate session amid walkout

Q&A: How will Oregon State Police go about finding GOP senators who walked out?

Oregon Senate convened again Friday with no Republicans as walkout over cap and trade continues

Walkouts in Oregon politics are rare but not unprecedented

Oregon Republican senators threaten to sue over $500 daily fines for walkout

Gov. Brown sends police to find walkout GOP senators: ‘They need to return and do the jobs they were elected to do’

Oregon Republican senators walked out over cap and trade. So, what’s next?

Social media reacts to GOP walkout over cap and trade

'It would be a death knell': Eastern Oregon truckers weigh in on cap and trade

‘Send bachelors and come heavily armed’: GOP state senator responds to Gov. Brown’s police threat

Loggers and truck drivers rally in Salem to protest cap-and-trade bill

Republicans: 'All options' on table to stop cap and trade

Oregon House approves cap-and-trade program to tackle climate change

Before You Leave, Check This Out