National Business
The Latest: GOP again thwarts Oregon education funding vote
The Associated Press
May 08, 2019 12:23 PM
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In this April 10, 2019 photo educators from across the metro are gathered at Pioneer Courthouse Square to press the Oregon Legislature for more school funding. Tens of thousands of teachers are expected to walk out across Oregon this week, adding to the string of nationwide protests over class sizes and education funding. Schools around the state, including Oregon’s largest district, Portland Public Schools, will close for at least part of Wednesday, May 8, 2019 as educators press for more money from lawmakers.
The Oregonian via AP
Mark Graves
SALEM, Ore.
The Latest on a walkout by Oregon teachers to protest education funding (all times local):
12:20 p.m.
Oregon’s Senate Republicans have failed to turn up for a second day, keeping majority Democrats from voting on a $1 billion education tax as tens of thousands of teachers walked off the job over school funding.
The 12 GOP senators didn’t show both Tuesday and Wednesday, denying the chamber enough members to vote on the legislation.
Republican Sen. Tim Knopp says the party is “in for the long haul” and won’t return to the Capitol until Democrats agree to renegotiate the tax plan.
The measure would raise revenue through a half a percent tax on some of Oregon’s wealthiest businesses.
More than 600 schools in 25 districts have been forced to close as teachers protest Wednesday for more classrooms money
Knopp says Republicans won’t support new revenue for schools that doesn’t address the state’s spiraling pension debt.
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8:40 a.m.
Holding signs and wearing T-shirts declaring “Proud Educator,” teachers across Oregon are staging a one-day walkout to rally for more money for schools.
Many schools in Oregon were to be closed for at least part of the day Wednesday, including dozens in the greater Portland area.
Oregon schools have some of the largest class sizes and lowest graduation rates in the United States.
The action follows a wave of teacher activism that began in West Virginia in 2018 and was followed by Oklahoma, Kentucky, Arizona and elsewhere.
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10:24 p.m.
Thousands of teachers plan to walk out across Oregon to protest education funding.
Schools around the state will close for at least part of Wednesday as teachers try to put pressure on lawmakers for more money.
Oregon schools have some of the highest class sizes and lowest graduation rates in the United States.
The action follows a wave of teacher activism that began in West Virginia in 2018 and was followed by Oklahoma, Kentucky and Arizona.
Teachers in North Carolina and South Carolina rallied at their respective state capitols last week seeking more money.
The state’s school funding problem can be traced to the 1990s, when voters passed two ballot measures to limit property taxes.