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Oregon Capitol braces for more trouble in next few days Authorities prepare for violent protests; pandemic has shut building for 10 months. The Oregon Capitol targeted twice recently by anti-lockdown, pro-Trump demonstrators and breached once while lawmakers were in special session in December is girding for trouble again. The Legislative Administration Office has closed the building in Salem for five days starting Saturday, Jan. 16, and running through Jan. 20, when Joe Biden will be sworn in as president and Kamala Harris as vice president at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C Workers boarded up first-floor windows at the Oregon Capitol, a rare action, in anticipation of trouble. Earlier in the week, Gov. Kate Brown agreed to a request by Oregon State Police responsible for security within the building for help from the Oregon National Guard. Specific steps were not made public. ....
State lawmaker s action letting in protesters Dec. 21 breached the public trust. House Speaker Tina Kotek has turned up the pressure on Republican Rep. Mike Nearman to resign his seat after video surveillance showed him allowing anti-lockdown protesters to enter the closed Oregon Capitol during a Dec. 21 special session. Kotek announced several actions against the Republican from Independence, who took the oath for a fourth term on opening day Monday, Jan. 11. She disclosed last week that Nearman was under criminal investigation by the Oregon State Police for his involvement. Kotek, a Democrat from Portland, said in a statement: Rep. Nearman put every person in the Capitol in serious danger. As we tragically saw last week during the insurrection at the United States Capitol, the consequences could have been much worse had law enforcement not stepped in so quickly. His actions have created immense fear among legislators and Capitol staff. I believe he should ....
Legislature opens 2021 session with a heavy infusion of reality Ritual and rhetoric are subdued; members of color reach historic high in Oregon. The new Oregon Legislature was light on the usual ritual and rhetoric during its opening day on Monday, Jan. 11 though they were present but heavy on the realities that have reshaped state politics during the past year. All 60 representatives and 17 new senators took their oaths from Chief Justice Martha Walters. But unlike typical opening days which have been compared to the first day of school staff, families and friends were largely absent from the Capitol in Salem because of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ....
Nearman under criminal investigation for Capitol breach House speaker says four-term GOP lawmaker also could face internal sanctions. Legislative leaders say that state Rep. Mike Nearman, a Republican from Independence, is under criminal investigation for his alleged part in allowing anti-lockdown demonstrators to enter the closed Capitol in Salem during a Dec. 21 special session. House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, made the disclosure Thursday, Jan. 7, during a briefing on how the Legislature will conduct its 2021 session amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic and protests. Oregon State Police has confirmed and informed us that Rep. Mike Nearman did open a door to allow demonstrators to enter the building, Kotek said during the briefing, which she conducted with Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem. This is a serious, serious breach of public trust. His actions put legislators, staff and law enforcement in danger. In fact, law enforcement offi ....