SALEM — Tensions simmered over Oregon Democrats’ priority climate change bill on Friday, as leaders from both parties met with reporters in the Capitol to discuss their priorities for the upcoming 35-day legislative session.

The main undercurrent dividing the parties: Will Republicans walk out, stalling all business in the affected chamber? And who would pay the political price if they did?

With just two weeks to go until lawmakers return to Salem, top Democrats spoke scornfully of the idea that Republicans in either chamber might reprise the Senate GOP’s 2019 walkout to block similar carbon legislation.

“It’s their job to be here,” Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, said. “They’re being paid by the taxpayers to be here … I would not want to show my face (to constituents) if I did not show up for work.”

House Republican Leader Rep. Christine Drazan of Canby, the only GOP member at the press briefing, addressed the idea that Republicans would be shirking their duties if they boycott the Capitol.

“We are advocates for our communities, and we are equal advocates for our communities,” Drazan said. “I don’t work for (House Speaker Tina Kotek, a Democrat) and nobody works for me. These folks are independently elected in their communities.”

Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger Jr. of Grants Pass, who led the Oregon GOP’s headline-grabbing walkouts last year, said in a press conference earlier this week that he was not ruling out a similar boycott this February.

Baertschiger also called for Democrats to allow their climate change plan to be referred to voters, an idea Democratic legislative leaders and Gov. Kate Brown rejected on Friday. He skipped the Friday press briefing, reportedly because of the bad road conditions and deep snow in his district.

The legislative preview briefing was organized by the Associated Press. Senate President Peter Courtney, a Salem Democrat, was also absent on Friday. He was hospitalized recently after injuring his hip during a cycling workout, but is expected to return to the Capitol for the short session.

On Friday, Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, initially spoke reservedly when asked about working with Republicans.

“I think they need to show up and be in the building and work to improve that concept,” Brown said. “And if that doesn’t work, obviously, (they can) vote against it. I don’t think walking out is a productive method.”

Brown issued an appeal for Republicans to stick out the session in order to pass bipartisan priorities, such as earthquake and wildfire preparedness projects that she said could help rural areas. When asked by an Associated Press reporter if it’s an impediment that Baertschiger has stated he does not believe humans caused climate change, Brown said no.

“Certainly, he has to spout a particular philosophy,” Brown said. “I may disagree with that particular philosophy. But let’s figure out how we can set aside our differences and get as much as we can done for Oregonians.”

“Our kids are telling us we can’t wait,” Brown said. “We have to move forward on a bill that caps carbon emissions and tackles climate change.”

The governor said it was “too early” for Democrats to consider asking voters to lower the two-thirds quorum requirement in the state Constitution, which allowed minority Republicans to shut down the Senate twice last year. Senate Democrats have drafted a proposal to do so, Burdick said.

“Let’s get through this session,” Brown said.

— Hillary Borrud | hborrud@oregonian.com | 503-294-4034 | @hborrud

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