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On Valentines Day, Gov. Kate Brown and Republican state Sen. Bill Hansell surveyed flood damage in Eastern Oregon from a Black Hawkhelicopter.

The following Monday, the governor stopped by Hansells office in the stateCapitol.

She wanted to discuss how the state might give financial help to flood victims in Hansells district. Perhaps not coincidentally, Brown also had a request one tied to a bill the Democrats want to pass this session, but which Hansell and his partyvow toblock.

I had begun to hear that maybe there was going to be a quid pro quo, Hansell recalled Wednesday. The governor was going to hold up relief work in order to try and extract a commitment from me on some of the bills orsomething.

Thats not what happened. According to Hansell, Brown even told him: Im sure you heard rumors Im here to do a quid pro quo. I amnot.

But the governor did ask Hansell for something: That he call Shaun Jillions, an industry lobbyist who is among the most forceful opponents to Senate Bill 1530, the climate change bill Democrats are pushing thisyear.

Hansell said it only dawned on him later what Brown was actually asking. She wanted him to work with Jillions to figure out what amendments to the bill might keep Hansell from abandoning the 2020 legislative sessionaltogether.

Men raise United States and State of Jefferson flags outside the Capitol in Salem, Ore., during a Timber Unity rally Thursday, Feb. 8, 2020. Timber Unitys signature issue is opposition to cap and trade, a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the group attracts others like climate change deniers and State of Jeffersonsecessionists.

Bradley W.Parks/OPB

The odd meeting is a fitting example of the state of affairs in the Capitol, as Democrats and Republicans once again brace for a clash on climate change. With the cap-and-trade bill headed to a potential Senate vote next week, Republicans are showing more certainty than ever that they will stage the walkout that has long loomed over the session. Democrats are trying to keep them in thebuilding.

The governor has been busy trying to connect with Senate Republicans to identify incentives. Thats included reports of carving out extra money for a veterans hospital in Roseburg or funneling more dollars to a communitycollege.

The attempted deal-making is a matter of arithmetic. Democrats need at least two Republicans on hand in the Senate to achieve a 20-member quorum, allowing them to conductbusiness.

But so far, it hasnt seemed towork.

Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger Jr., R-Grants Pass, said his caucus is solid and united against the cap-and-trade bill. For the past week, Republican Senators have been reading proclamations on the Senate floor from rural counties urging them to ensure the bill doesntpass.

Baertschiger said the governor has offered everybodysomething.

It stinks. I wont have no part of it, and its soft corruption,hesaid.

State Sens. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls, and Herman Baertschiger Jr., R-Grants Pass, talk on the Senate floor at the Capitol in Salem, Ore., Thursday, April 11,2019.

Bradley W.Parks/OPB

Brownsees itdifferently.

The governor is trying to speak to individual members about the things we all want for their districts. Wildfire funding cant practically happen without a quorum, said Nik Blosser, the governors chief of staff. There are things that are specific to districts, and thats more how we are seeing the conversations. We cant do these things if we dont have aquorum.

Its not clear all Republicans areas ready to walk out asBaertschiger.

Of 10 GOP senators interviewed by OPB in the last week, seven said they would walk away from the session if SB 1530 doesnt include a referral to voters or other substantial changes. Three more Sens. Denyc Boles, Lynn Findley, and Tim Knopp would not say whether they were prepared to leave. Sen. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls, said he was too busy to speak to OPB. Sen. Alan Olsen, R-Canby, is away from theCapitol.

If Republicans do stage a walkout, it could come next week. SB 1530 is currently expected to receive a vote in the Legislatures budget committee on Monday, the last step before the full Senate. Thats as far as many GOP senators are comfortable allowing the bill toproceed.

State Rep. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, introduces legislation on the House floor as the public gallery looks on at the Capitol in Salem, Ore., Tuesday, April 2,2019.

Bradley W.Parks/OPB

During the 2019 legislative session, Senate Republicans left the Capitol two different times. With a walkout in June, they helped kill an earlier version of the climate change bill they are currentlyprotesting.

But last years walkouts were a surprise, catching many off guard; this year, a Republican exodus feels more like a foregoneconclusion.

Republicans have even considered branding for a walkout this time around. According to Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, theyd pitch it as a boycott for referral, a reference to their insistence the policy change require voterapproval.

They have also picked up a few tips from their previousdepartures.

Sen. Chuck Thomsen, R-Hood River, said that during the 2019 walkout, when the state police were on the hunt for Republican lawmakers, they stopped by Thomsens pear orchards. They spoke to his wife and theforeman.

This time, even Thomsens wife doesnt want to know where hes headed. And, he said, he wont tellher.

Hes had his bag packed for weeks and has already bought a plane ticket. Its on Southwest Airlines, he said, so its easy to change thedates.

Thomsen will say this for certain: this time, hes not headed to Idaho. Its too cold this time of year. His suitcase is full of polo shirts andshorts.

Boquist said Thursday he wouldnt hesitate to head back across the states eastern border once again. He has friends nearLewiston.

Best steelhead fishing in the country, Boquist said. I found a coffee shop that has wi-fi. Ill go there and continue to do Senatework.

Sen. Dallas Heard, R-Roseburg, said he shed 15 pounds during last years protest because of stress. For the past couple of weeks, he joked, hes been doing cheeseburger lifts moving them from the plate to hismouth.

Ive given it a lot of thought, Heard said on a more serious note. The walkout is not something I want to do. The majority has fullcontrol.

State Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, waits for the start of Oregon Gov. Kate Browns inaugural address at the state Capitol in Salem, Ore., Monday, Jan. 14,2019.

Bradley W.Parks/OPB

Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, who has served 15 years in the state Legislature, said she sees this as the most damaging legislation shes faced as alawmaker.

Some people see it as shirking our duties, but I see it as actually doing everything we can for our constituents, Thatcher said of possibly leavingSalem.

Under SB 1530, greenhouse gas emissions allowed in Oregon would be capped, and that cap would be reduced over time. Polluters in the transportation, utility and manufacturing sectors would have to obtain state-issued credits for each metric ton of carbon dioxide theyemit.

The bill has spurred intractable disagreement even among lawmakers who agree that climate change is an issue state government mustaddress.

Democrats believe a cap-and-trade program would help the state transition away from fossil fuels, setting a course that would make Oregon a green energy leader and providing a blueprint for other small or medium-sizedstates.

Republicans point out that Oregons emissions are tiny on a global scale. They worry that the new regulations will increase prices, hurting families and spurring businesses to flee thestate.

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With Oregon Republicans Ready To Walk Out, Gov. Brown Tries To Bargain - OPB News