by Larry Morandi
The Oregon House of Representatives elected co-speakers yesterday on the first day of the new session. The power-sharing agreement resulted from the Republicans picking up six seats in November to forge a 30-30 tie, the first time in history the chamber has been deadlocked. Both parties hoped to craft an arrangement by Christmas, but negotiated right up to the start of session to hammer out a deal.
The co-speakers are Rep. Bruce Hanna, previously the Republican leader, and Democrat Rep. Arnie Roblan, formerly House speaker pro tem. The two will alternate as speaker on a daily basis. The House Democratic leader is Dave Hunt, the former speaker, with Representative Kevin Cameron moving to Republican leader from his prior position as deputy. The agreement includes committee co-chairs from each party.
The House chose a different resolution from that of the Senate when it tied 15-15 in 2003 (the second time in its history). Eight years ago the Senate elected a single president, Democrat Peter Courtney, and a president pro tem, Republican Lenn Hannon. The Senate chair of the budget-writing joint ways and means committee that year went to a Democrat, with all subcommittee chairs assigned to Republicans.
Courtney was sworn in yesterday for his fifth consecutive term as Senate president, another record.
For information on how other legislatures have handled evenly divided chambers, see "In Case of a Tie..."
Photo credit: Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian
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