Eyes on Gov. Kate Brown for executive orders, special session

PORTLAND, OR – Another Oregon legislative session has ended with NO major climate action. We played by the rules, negotiated in good faith, and showed up at the Capitol time and time again to demand climate action. And, again, a minority bloc of Republican lawmakers backed by big polluters – this time in both the Senate and the House – chose to break our democratic process by refusing to show up for work for weeks, many hiding out of state. This is not how democracy is supposed to work; Oregonians deserve better.

We are heartened to see Governor Brown step up and promise to deliver some of the climate action that Oregonians demand and deserve. This is the leadership response the moment demands. We can't run from climate change, and it’s time for the adults in the room to step up and act now. There is well-established precedent for state governors to enact climate policy through executive action, and we eagerly await the Governor’s executive order to inform our next steps.

We value the deeper relationships forged with our partner organizations and legislative champions, and we have the strong resolve to keep moving forward in partnership with Oregonians across the state to equitably transition off fossil fuels.