Oregon GOP a no show for education tax vote ahead of walkout

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Republicans in the Oregon Senate were a no show for a $1 billion education tax vote, bringing the chamber to a halt the day before teachers across the state were to stage a walkout to protest funding levels for schools.

All 12 Republicans were missing Tuesday morning, denying the Senate a quorum. That means there weren't enough people to formally move ahead with a vote.

A Democratic supermajority was poised to approve $1 billion per year in additional funding for schools, which plans to raise revenue through a half a percent tax on some of Oregon's wealthiest businesses.

Senate Minority Leader Herman Baertchiger said in a statement Republicans are walking out "because it is the only tool we have to draw attention to the injustices of this legislation on Oregon voters and businesses."

Senate President Peter Courtney waited for Republicans to show and sent the chamber's chief law enforcement officer to track members down. When no members could be found, Courtney called a recess.

The Senate will reconvene this afternoon to see if any Republicans return. A spokesperson for Senate Republicans said the walkout is planned to occur all day.

Courtney said in an email he hopes members return, and "come back to work for Oregonians."

Teachers plan to walk out Wednesday over what they say has been decades of disinvestment in Oregon schools. John Larson, president of the Oregon Education Association, said Republicans' behavior goes straight to the heart of why teachers are protesting in the first place.

"It just mystifies me that adults just can't sit in a room and do what's right for kids," he said. This is why educators need to stand together and tell them to get back to work."

Republicans have said they would not support any funding package that doesn't...