Republican lawmakers stall Oregon carbon cap-and-trade bill with near no-show vote

Nearly all Republican state representatives in Oregon refused to show up to vote on a carbon cap-and-trade bill that Democrats in the state are seeking to push through the legislature.

If passed, Senate Bill 1530 would slowly decrease the limit of carbon emissions that companies in the state are allowed to create and make companies apply for "emission allowances" with the state government.

At Monday’s 11 a.m. floor session, just one Republican showed up, the Oregonian reported. State law requires a two-thirds majority of all senators to be present in order for the body to vote on resolutions or legislation. Therefore, Senate President Peter Courtney, a Democrat, decided to adjourn the chamber until Tuesday.

More