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Cutting early kicker checks part of negotiations over ending Oregon Republican boycott


(SBG, file)
(SBG, file)
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Senate Republicans boycotting floor sessions in the Oregon Legislature said Tuesday that one of the items on the wish list they presented during negotiations is allowing the state to cut an early kicker check to Oregonians.

Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp of Bend, on day 18 of the walkout, accused Democrats of killing his party’s agenda, which includes kicker checks to Oregonians.

“We’d rather them (Oregonians) get that sooner rather than next April when they file their taxes,” Knopp said.

The walkout has meant the Senate doesn’t have the constitutionally required quorum to pass bills, putting the Democratic agenda at risk this legislative session. Boycotting Republicans have racked up unexcused absences, risking reelection under a voter-approved amendment to the Oregon Constitution.

When Oregon has more tax revenue than its economists forecast, that money goes back to Oregonians in their tax returns. It’s known as the kicker. The individual amount is based on taxed income.

In March, Oregon economists put predictions for the median individual kicker at just under $800. Since then, the total kicker amount has gone up.

Knopp said an early kicker check has been part of negotiations.

“It absolutely has been brought up with the leaders in both chambers as well as the governor,” he said.

As for the responses he has received, he said Gov. Tina Kotek is “most interested in trying to find a way to bring all of us together.”

Knopp said tensions with Democrats began before the walkout in part because their agenda was tossed out by Senate President Rob Wagner of Lake Oswego.

In addition to accusing Wagner of killing the Republican agenda, Senate Republicans also accused him of curtailing public participation in the legislative process and its ability to testify on bills, specifically by using the budgeting process to get controversial bills on abortion, gender-affirming care and guns to full floor votes without public hearings in the Senate.

Wagner had no comment Tuesday on the Republican accusations.

“These highly personal, politically motivated attacks against our duly-elected Senate President only sow division and make it harder for us to do the people’s work,” said Senate Democratic Leader Kate Lieber, of Beaverton and Southwest Portland, in a statement. "The Senate President has led an open and fair process this legislative session. It’s time to put personal grievances aside and deliver results for Oregonians."

The governor’s office did not specifically answer a question about whether Kotek would consider authorizing an early kicker check. Instead, it said she’s engaging in conversations with both parties.

“The Governor recognizes that we are at a crucial point in session," the governor's office said in a statement. "She will continue meeting with legislative leaders in the coming days in the hopes of finding a resolution."

A Democrat’s Plan for the Kicker

Meanwhile, Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, is sponsoring a bill that would divert part of this year’s kicker.

“We don’t have a source for funding the kind of program to prevent catastrophic wildfire going forward,” he said.

The state invested $200 million in wildfire prevention last year. Golden wants to use some of this year’s kicker to create a trust fund that will keep that program stable.

“Senate Bill 502 addresses this wildfire problem in its current form. It would send to every eligible Oregonian for a kicker $1,000 check,” he said.

The bill provides more money to lower income taxpayers and diverts money from wealthy taxpayers toward wildfire prevention.

The bill has a public hearing Wednesday.

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