Oregon lawmakers have approved a plan to spend nearly $7.3 billion on public schools. The Oregon Senate voted Monday to send the measure to Democratic Governor Kate Brown.
Veteran Democratic State Senator Rod Monroe introduced the K-12 budget with a prediction.
"I'm sure most of you have taken a look at it and probably have already made up your mind how you're going to vote,” he said.
Sure enough, four hours later, the measure passed on party lines. In between, Republicans used a host of procedural moves to delay the vote. The GOP's Tim Knopp picked up a petition signed by Oregonians who wanted more money in the education budget.
He said he'd read all 6,400 names "as long as my eyes and voice and bladder and time hold out."
He got about 400 names into the petition before he sat down.
Democrats said they'll add more money to the K-12 budget later on if the state's economic outlook improves.