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Oregon Special Session Ends with Passage of Every Bill

The three-day special session of the Oregon Legislature is over after lawmakers passed five bills on public pensions, taxes and agriculture.

The three-day special session of the Oregon Legislature is over after lawmakers passed five bills on public pensions, taxes and agriculture.

Lawmakers rejoiced at the conclusion of an intense day of voting as several bills initially lacked the votes required to pass.

The tensest moment came on the first bill in the House, when lawmakers fell three votes shy of passing legislation to raise $244 million in revenue and to cut taxes for some businesses. After an hour of backroom negotiations, three Democratic representatives switched their votes to ensure that bill passed.

It paved the way for a smoother afternoon, and all five bills eventually passed.

Gov. John Kitzhaber had vowed to veto the bills unless they all reached his desk.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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