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"A collaborative political resource." |
Oregon House makes history by electing two co-speakers
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| Contributor | Scott³ |
| Last Edited | Scott³ Jan 12, 2011 12:23pm |
| Category | News |
| News Date | Jan 10, 2011 12:20pm |
| Description | "Republicans and Democrats negotiated their unprecedented power-sharing agreement to run the Oregon House right up until the 8 a.m. opening bell Monday. Then members unanimously elected "co-speakers" and, with scant objections, endorsed new operating rules intended to ensure neither side gets the upper hand.
Rep. Bruce Hanna, 50, a Republican from Roseburg who runs a Coca Cola bottling operation and, in his off-time, enjoys four-wheeling in his Jeep, was unanimously elected co-speaker.
He'll share the title with Rep. Arnie Roblan, 62, a Democrat from Coos Bay, a retired high school principal and unabashed Star Wars fan who keeps a life-sized model of Anakin Skywalker in his office.
In his remarks, Roblan said Anakin teaches us all about the Force "that allows us to achieve things we never thought possible."
Dominated by majority Democrats since 2007, the House emerged from the 2010 elections with 30 Republicans and 30 Democrats. It is the first time this has happened in Oregon, though the state Senate navigated a similar split in 2003.
After a bruising Fall election, both Roblan and Hanna spoke Monday of the need to come together for the good of Oregon. They intend to hand off the gavel every other day when the 76th Legislature reconvenes on Feb. 1." |
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