While gridlock continues in Washington, D.C., tensions have also surfaced in Salem. Oregon's special session hasn't gone according to plan.
Lawmakers are meeting in Salem Monday to vote on a package of bills that are part of a deal reached between Governor John Kitzhaber and four top legislative leaders. The proposals include some targeted tax hikes and tax cuts, as well as cuts to pensions for some retired public employees.
But by early afternoon, none of the measures had actually come up for a vote and it's unclear whether there is enough support among lawmakers for the bills to pass.
It is very much a situation in flux at the moment. There has been some talk of extending the special session until Tuesday. There's no particular reason why they have to conclude it today.
And indeed, at this point in the afternoon it would be pretty hard to get everything done by close of business today.
Kitzhaber has said he won't sign any of the special session bills unless all of them pass.
On the Web:
Special session information - Oregon Legislature