Republican state senators end walkout over carbon bill. SALEM,

Republican lawmakers returned to the state Senate on Saturday, ending an acrimonious nine-day walkout over a carbonemissions bill that would have been the second such legislation in the nation.

The boycott escalated when the Democratic governor ordered the state police to find and return the rogue Republicans to the Senate so the chamber could convene, and a counter-threat by one GOP senator to violently resist any such attempt. Senate Republicans fled the state to avoid being forcibly returned by the State Police.

Democrats have an 18-12 majority in the Senate but need at least 20 members — and therefore at least two Republicans — present to vote on legislation.