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2 weeks ago | 
opb.org | Dirk Vander Hart |Alex Zielinski
Portland lost one of its most active and knowledgeable advocates for police accountability earlier this month. Dan Handelman spent decades of his life keeping track of the actions of the Portland police bureau, and pushing for reform. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we discuss Handelman’s life, death and what happens when an institutional watchdog is no longer there. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
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1 month ago | 
opb.org | Elizabeth Castillo |Dirk Vander Hart
The Oregon Capitol in 2021. Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPBOregon lawmakers are crafting a budget for the next two years. They’re facing a lot of uncertainty since nearly a third of the state’s funding comes from federal dollars and budget committee members have offered several scenarios. Meanwhile, hundreds of bills failed to meet a legislative deadline last week. But one proposal that narrowly passed the Senate would give workers who go on strike access to unemployment benefits.
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1 month ago | 
rv-times.com | Dirk Vander Hart |Troy Heie
Published 10:19 am Tuesday, March 25, 2025 A Marion County judge has stalled a controversial order by Gov. Tina Kotek that requires use of union labor in many state construction projects. In a hearing Monday morning, Circuit Court Judge Thomas M. Hart issued an injunction, barring Kotek’s administration from moving forward with a policy that critics say would benefit Kotek’s allies in labor at taxpayers’ expense.
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1 month ago | 
ashland.news | Dirk Vander Hart |Bert Etling
By Dirk VanderHart, Oregon Public BroadcastingStriking workers in Oregon are a step closer to being eligible for weekly unemployment checks, after a tight vote in the state Senate on Thursday. Senate Bill 916 passed by the bare minimum 16 votes in the 30-member chamber, with two Democrats bucking the rest of their party over concerns the policy could harm cash-strapped cities and counties.
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2 months ago | 
opb.org | Alex Zielinski |Dirk Vander Hart
OPB Politics NowOPB StaHaving trouble with your finances? Well, Multnomah County and the city of Portland feel your pain. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now we discuss the challenging budget cycle facing two of the state’s largest governments — and why the situation for state government is vastly different. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
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Feb 14, 2025 | 
opb.org | Dirk Vander Hart |Alex Zielinski
OPB Politics NowOPB StaThe first month of the 2025 legislative session may have been overshadowed, a bit, by the flurry of federal action underway in Trump administration 2.0. But there’s plenty to dig into. On the latest episode of “OPB Politics Now,” reporters Alex Zielinski and Dirk VanderHart discuss the first month of the session, what’s emerged and what hasn’t, and what to expect in the coming weeks. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
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Feb 7, 2025 | 
opb.org | Dirk Vander Hart |Monica Samayoa
OPB Politics NowOPB StaOregon Gov. Tina Kotek has been consistent about her priorities since entering the governor’s mansion: housing, homelessness and healthcare. That’s left some wondering where she stands on climate and environmental issues. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Monica Samayoa discuss Kotek’s priorities and vision on the climate beat. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
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Feb 5, 2025 | 
opb.org | Dirk Vander Hart |Tiffany Camhi
The latest in a flurry of executive orders from President Donald Trump is a push to keep trans women out of women’s sports. The “No Men In Women’s Sports” executive order follows other measures Trump has signed targeting transgender participation in the military and access to health care. Oregon allows transgender youth to participate in competitive athletics in alignment with their gender identity.
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Jan 31, 2025 | 
opb.org | Bryce Dole |Dirk Vander Hart
OPB Politics NowOPB StaWhat happens when the federal money faucet is turned off? Week two of the second Trump administration started with an effort to find out. On this week’s episode of “OPB Politics Now,” reporters Lauren Dake, Dirk VanderHart and Bryce Dole discuss how the brief funding freeze played out in Oregon. Then, they also dive deep into the state’s growing eviction crisis and why Oregon continues to struggle to build enough housing.
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Jan 17, 2025 | 
opb.org | Bryce Dole |Dirk Vander Hart
OPB Politics NowOPB StaWe are only a few days away from the 2025 long legislative session kicking off in Salem. State lawmakers’ paramount duty is passing the next two-year budget. But they likely won’t stop there. On this week’s “OPB Politics Now,” we will dig into how the state will fund wildfires and ease the housing crisis. Plus, will there be new taxes? How will the legislative leaders get along in this new era? We’ll discuss. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.
