PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon voters are deciding how much power Democrats will have in the Legislature next year. The result will determine whether Democrats will be able to raise taxes without any support from Republicans.
Democrats have steadily picked up legislative seats since 2004, wresting control of both chambers in 2006 for the first time in 15 years.
They’re unlikely to lose control of the House or Senate Tuesday, but they could drop their three-fifths supermajorities.
With 36 House seats and 18 Senate seats, Democrats have the bare minimum needed to pass revenue-raising bills without courting votes from the GOP.
Election watchers will be eyeing 16 close contests, most of them in the Portland suburbs.
