Wiccan priestess handles the rites on Monday. She's a priestess of Wicca, a nature-based religion. Throughout the legislative session, each day often begins with prayer, musical acts, jugglers and poets in the House and Senate chambers. It's all part, Oregon's open-door policy for visitors.
Legislative rules allow for opening religious invocations and other nonreligious acts.
On the House floor last week, for example, a local blues band, the Bitch Creek Nymphs, opened the daily session. Becca Uherbelau the daughter of Rep. Judy Uherbelau, D. Ashland, read a poem about, her mother, bringing the representative tears. The invocation that Johnson gave Monday was different than most. That is specifically why Senate Minority Leader Kate Brown, D. Portland, sought her out. It's been primarily Christian invocations this session.