OPB Politics Now is a weekly podcast that takes a deep dive into the hottest political topics in Oregon and the Northwest. Every Friday, OPB’s political reporters and special guests offer in-depth analysis, discussion and insight into candidates, events and issues.
A political lightning round ahead of the Legislative session
Oregon lawmakers return to the Capitol on Monday for a frenetic 35-day session. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart talk about the major issues, the key Oregon Supreme Court ruling and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
2/2/2024 • 15 minutes, 52 seconds
Is Oregon’s drug decriminalization experiment nearing its end?
Oregon’s landmark drug decriminalization law is now in the crosshairs of Democratic leaders. Republicans and other Measure 110 opponents say the proposal doesn’t go far enough, while drug recovery advocates say this is not the way. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart, Lauren Dake and Alex Zielinski talk about the fight to come and they discuss why Portland and Multnomah County leaders continue to squabble over how to respond to weather emergencies.
1/26/2024 • 20 minutes, 34 seconds
Oregon’s land use laws and the Kotek’s housing push
Gov. Tina Kotek will once again push for a bill to make it easier for cities to add land for housing. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss the bill, how it was derailed in the Legislature and why the governor thinks this time may be different. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
1/19/2024 • 15 minutes, 25 seconds
What to make of Tina Kotek’s first year as Oregon’s governor
Tina Kotek is no stranger to Oregon politics, but her perception inside and outside Salem may have changed as she traded in the speaker’s gavel for the governor’s office. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, political reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss their deep dive into Kotek’s first year. They discussed how the progressive has shifted to the middle, what her political opponents have to say and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
1/12/2024 • 21 minutes, 28 seconds
The political stories to watch in 2024
It’s going to be a busy year for politics in Oregon and beyond. There’s a presidential election, a coveted and presumably safe Democratic seat in the U.S. House of Representatives is up for grabs and Portland is embarking on a historic election. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Alex Zielinski and Dirk VanderHart discuss all that and more. Dive into the busy year to come. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
1/5/2024 • 26 minutes, 52 seconds
Why Oregon’s kicker tax rebate just keeps growing
Oregon loves to be an outlier, and its special kicker tax rebate is yet another example. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Kyra Buckley and Dirk VanderHart go deep on why Oregon's kicker continues to hit unprecedented dollar figures, how the state compares nationally and much more. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.
12/22/2023 • 18 minutes, 52 seconds
The political and business reaction to Kotek’s downtown Portland task force
Did Tina Kotek fix downtown Portland or did the governor just convene a big to-do task force with little to show for it? Or is the truth somewhere in between? On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Alex Zielinski, Dirk VanderHart and Kyra Buckley discuss the task force, the business community’s reaction to it and much more. Find the show wherever you listen to podcasts.
12/15/2023 • 18 minutes, 45 seconds
OPB Politics Now: Oregon keeps struggling with foster care
On this week's show, OPB reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake go deep on the state of Oregon's continuing failure to find safe, consistent housing for the most vulnerable children.
12/8/2023 • 17 minutes, 11 seconds
The political fight over K-12 education funding is just getting started
The fight over how Oregon funds K-12 education isn’t new, but in the wake of a nearly monthlong strike in Portland Public Schools the longtime issue is back in the limelight. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart explain the history, the present and what lawmakers and school insiders are saying about whether Oregon schools are getting enough money. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.
12/1/2023 • 17 minutes, 24 seconds
Portland's police oversight controversy continues
Portland has struggled for years with how to oversee matters of police discipline and the controversy appears to be continuing. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake and Alex Zielinski discuss how the City Council appears to be changing elements of the police oversight system that was overwhelmingly supported by voters three years ago. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
11/17/2023 • 11 minutes, 5 seconds
Tribes, a proposed destination resort and treaty rights collide
Tribes in Central Oregon are fighting a county-approved plan to build a luxury resort on their ancestral lands, which could further deplete the region's shrinking groundwater supply. This week, an appeals court is hearing arguments over whether that development may violate treaty rights. On this week’s OPB Politics Now, politics reporter Alex Zielinski talks about the project with Central Oregon bureau chief Emily Cureton Cook. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.
11/10/2023 • 16 minutes, 38 seconds
The politics of the PPS strike
Portland public schools are on strike for the first time in history. It’s early days and it’s already turning political. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake, Dirk VanderHart and Natalie Pate discuss the politics surrounding the strike and whether Democratic lawmakers will wade in to the dispute. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
11/2/2023 • 20 minutes, 28 seconds
Oregon's battle over pumping gas refuels, plus Portland City Council transition drama
The battle over who can pump gas legally in Oregon may not be fully settled. Plus, Portland City Council members continue to bicker as the transition to a new government looms. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Alex Zielinski and Dirk VanderHart discuss those issues. Find the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.
10/27/2023 • 19 minutes, 33 seconds
What happens when an Oregon town's government implodes
What happens when an Oregon town's government implodesDescription: Baker City's government and political system essentially ceased to exist for weeks this year, and the pieces are just now getting put back together. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, editor Ryan Haas and reporter Antonio Sierra discuss the political acrimony in Baker City and much more.
10/20/2023 • 13 minutes, 1 second
How homelessness became a statewide crisis in Oregon
Homelessness may be the biggest political story in this state. And it’s complicated; intertwined so closely with other big issues like the housing shortage, a lack of mental health care options and a surging drug crisis. On this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake and Alex Zielinski take a deep dive into the history of houselessness in Oregon. They also discuss the solutions that some communities are pursuing. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.
10/13/2023 • 18 minutes, 44 seconds
Why Democrats are now willing to tackle Measure 110 reforms
During the 2023 legislative session, Democrats were not interested in making system-wide changes to the state’s drug decriminalization experiment. Now, that seems to have changed. On this week’s episode of OPB’s Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart talk about the politics behind the sudden change of heart and what it means for the future of the state’s drug policies.
10/6/2023 • 21 minutes, 49 seconds
Fentanyl, overdoses and Measure 110 in the spotlight
Fentanyl use in Portland and other cities is a national crisis, but in Oregon the passage of Measure 110 harkened something entirely different. Now the political repercussions about that measure continue to reverberate. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart, Lauren Dake and Jonathan Levinson discuss fentanyl, Measure 110's critics and much more.
9/29/2023 • 18 minutes, 18 seconds
A deep dive into the unusual and personal Paul Holvey recall
Recall efforts aren't unusual in Oregon politics these days, but it is odd to have a contest led by former allies. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Alex Zielinski and Dirk VanderHart discuss the union-led effort to recall Paul Holvey. Plus, they address why Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell is leaving and what to make of his short-term successor.
9/22/2023 • 18 minutes, 8 seconds
Ted Talk: What can Wheeler accomplish as a lame duck?
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler won't run for reelection, but does this free him up to accomplish more in his last 15 months? On the latest episode o OPB Politics now, reporters Alex Zielinski, Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss Wheeler's decision, his legacy and whether he can do anything notable. Plus, they discuss the candidates entering races for state treasurer and secretary of state.
9/15/2023 • 16 minutes, 27 seconds
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler talks about his future
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is not seeking a third term. On this bonus episode of OPB Politics Now, Wheeler chats with Think out Loud's Dave Miller about that decision, what he hopes to accomplish in the next 15 months and much more. We'll be back Friday with a regular podcast episode
9/14/2023 • 35 minutes, 21 seconds
Portland public drug use ban awaits state action, Bybee Lakes gets more public cash
Portland wants to ban public drug use on sidewalks or public property, but it isn’t a simple fix. And the state’s largest homeless shelter, which was founded with assurances no public money was needed, is suddenly saved by Multnomah County. All that and more on this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now.
9/8/2023 • 9 minutes, 39 seconds
Oregon’s ‘kicker’ hits a new record
On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, politics reporter Dirk VanderHart explains the history of Oregon’s kicker tax rebate, why taxpayers will see a record return next year and the politics surrounding it.
9/1/2023 • 12 minutes, 8 seconds
The task force to save Portland met for the first time, but will it work?
The massive task force convened by Gov. Tina Kotek, which aims to address Portland’s many issues, met for the first time this week. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, politics reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart discuss the meeting, what people had to say and what might come out of the process.
8/25/2023 • 17 minutes, 17 seconds
The sex work vetoes and the Portland leader who lived and worked from Vegas
With two quiet vetoes, Governor Tina Kotek has slowed the push to decriminalize sex work in Oregon. And it turns out the city of Portland’s top public safety official has been living in Sin City, not Stumptown. On this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now, Anna Griffin, Jonathan Levinson and Alex Zielinski tackle those two topics.
8/18/2023 • 12 minutes, 36 seconds
The costly Capitol renovation, plus Kotek’s task force to save Portland
Oregon lawmakers wrapped up the legislative session earlier this summer with a flurry of bills. Plenty of topics were discussed in the final days of session, but one wasn’t at all: How, and why a mega project to renovate the Capitol was nearly $100 million over budget. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart discuss that project and Gov. Tina Kotek swooping in to try and solve Portland’s problems.
8/11/2023 • 18 minutes, 36 seconds
Intel growing, gas pumping, Congresswoman Hoyle testifying
Intel growing, gas pumping, Congresswoman Hoyle testifyingOn the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, politics reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart discuss a surprisingly busy week despite the dog days of summer. They discussed Intel's big expansion and the state role, Oregon's new gas pumping future and a Congresswoman testifying.
8/4/2023 • 13 minutes, 34 seconds
The union battle in Lane County
On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, there's an inter-party skirmish happening among some of the biggest political entities in the state. Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss the effort to recall Rep. Paul Holvey and what it says about the labor world and the Democratic Party.
7/28/2023 • 15 minutes, 33 seconds
Why the effort to unwind Portland’s government overhaul unraveled
On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake and Alex Zielinski discuss the controversial idea from two Portland City Council members to ask voters to unwind the government overhaul package before it even took effect.
7/21/2023 • 10 minutes, 58 seconds
The Newport mayor’s Facebook posts, plus Portland City Hall happenings
On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, Dirk VanderHart, Jonathan Levinson and Alex Zielinski discuss the Newport mayor’s resignation and the happenings inside Portland City Hall as the mayor’s race is already heating up.
7/14/2023 • 16 minutes, 9 seconds
OPB Politics Now: Portland's continuing struggle over homelessness policy
On this week's show, OPB city reporter Alex Zielinski explains why Mayor Ted Wheeler pulled back a plan to get tough on public drug use and why supporters of the Portland Street Response program are worried about its future.
6/30/2023 • 10 minutes, 49 seconds
OPB Politics Now: Oregon legislators wrap it up
On a special bonus episode, OPB political reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake review the accomplishments of the 2023 Oregon Legislature and which priorities lawmakers didn't achieve.
6/26/2023 • 21 minutes, 22 seconds
A topsy-turvy end to the 2023 legislative session
On this week's episode of OPB Politics Now, politics reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss the race to the finish line in Salem.
6/23/2023 • 13 minutes, 25 seconds
The political fallout from the longest walkout in Oregon history
The walkout is over, but is it really smooth-sailing to the finish line? On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, politics reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss the deal, the end of the session and the potential wrinkles to come.
