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Floor erupts over bid to move transportation referendum; lawmakers warn against changing voters' certified date
Summary
Multiple lawmakers remonstrated against SB 15 99, arguing that altering a certified referendum date after more than 250,000 signatures undermines the constitutional referendum process and that the public should decide in November; sponsors of the change have argued procedural reasons. The dispute set up a joint special committee work session later the same day.
A contentious exchange on the House floor focused on SB 15 99 and efforts to change the certified date of a transportation-tax referendum from the general-election date in November to a May primary.
Representative Juncker characterized the measure as political retaliation and said moving a referendum date after Oregonians collected more than 250,000 signatures is an effort to "rewrite the rules" and silence voters. "If this body truly believes the policy is right, then let it stand before the voters," Juncker said, urging members to trust the electorate.
Representative Edwards and others said moving the referendum to a May primary would reduce turnout and deprive citizens of the representative, high-turnout general election where the petitioners intended their measure to be heard; Edwards noted more than 250,000 signed the petition and highlighted strong public opposition to changing the schedule in testimony (she cited that 99% of submitted testimony opposed moving the date). The transcript records that a joint special committee on referendum petitions was expected to meet that evening.
The exchange did not include a floor vote resolving the dispute; it underscored friction between majority leaders seeking procedural changes and members who argued the referendum process and citizen petitions should be respected. Lawmakers on both sides urged public engagement and attention ahead of the committee action.
