12:15
There have been a lot of questions about when these two bills, once law would go into effect. Please go to www.basicrights.org and sign up for our e-newsletter (on the left hand side of the home page). We will be sending out a newsletter today (Thursday) explaining what's next.

Thanks to everyone!

11:05am
That's it folks. Basically no debate. Painless. Senate Bill 2 has passed all hurdles. As we know, Kulongoski is ready to sign it.

PASSED 19-7
Four Senator were excused today.

11:04
Whitsett, Atkinson, Gary George, Larry George, Beyer, Kruse, Ferrioli vote NO

11:02am
Pres. Courtney "the question now rises".

11:02am
The final vote of approval in the legislature is about to take place.

11:01am
VOTE TIME! Roll call!

11:00am
Burdick recommends call of the Senate.

11:00am
Burdick explains how this bill has been in the legislature for 34 years.

10:59am
Whitsett urges a NO vote.

10:57am
Exemption changed in SB2 to address some of the concerns of churches to clarify the exemption.

10:57am
Sen. Burdick explains the new religious exemption that was amended in the House to simply clarify it further.

10:56am
Senator Burdick moves to have Senate Bill 2 passed. Discussion begins on SB2.

10:55am
Devlin (D) and Starr (R) are excused today it sounds like.

10:54am
Nothing is happening--so I added a pretty little graphic to the top of the post. Just makes you happy doesn't it?

10:51
Caucus over. Roll call.

10:45am
Independent Senator Avel Gordly is the only Independent in the Oregon Senate--she's having her own caucus at her desk while R's and D's are in their respective caucus rooms.

10:36
Sen. Majority Leader Kate Brown just called for a caucus. Floor session to resume in 15 minutes.

10:31
President Courtney introduced honorary pages. Courtesies were also just extended by Sen. Burdick, Sen. Monnes Anderson and President Courtney.

10:27am
Wow. They are amazing. Are we in the Senate or at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall?

10:25am
Opera singers from Portland State University are about to sing.

10:20am
Seantors are slowly trickling in. Many are still missing. Posting colors is starting.

10:15am
We're LIVE from Salem! Roll call is starting in the Oregon Senate.

Labels: legislature, oregon, SB2, senate

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 10:15 AM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.