SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon’s iron-clad protections for freedom of expression limit a city’s ability to impose restrictions on strip clubs.
Now a group of lawmakers is looking to ask voters to change the state constitution to loosen protections for freedom of speech — something that voters have repeatedly rejected in the last two decades.
There are two proposals: one would amend the Oregon Constitution by adding language allowing governments to restrict live entertainment involving nudity. The other would rewrite the state free-expression clause to match the U.S. Constitution and allow a different interpretation of state limits.
Both ideas will get public hearings at the state Capitol over the next two weeks.
