OPB Politics Now
‘OPB Politics Now’: The Republican agenda in Oregon
On this week's show, OPB political reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart look at the Republican Party's agenda for the 2023 Oregon legislative session, and the GOP's plans to slow things down if Democrats don't cooperate.
Latest Stories
‘OPB Politics Now’: The Oregon legislature returns, and Sam Adams leaves
On this week's show, we look at the biggest challenges facing the 2023 Oregon legislature and the big complaints that led Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler to fire one of his predecessors, Sam Adams.
‘OPB Politics Now’: Tina Kotek gets to work
On this week's episode of "OPB Politics Now," we look at Tina Kotek's first week as Oregon governor and the big promises she's made on homelessness.
‘OPB Politics Now’: The end of Oregon’s death penalty
On this week's show, we break down Gov. Kate Brown's decision to commute the sentences of everyone facing execution in Oregon.
‘OPB Politics Now’: Oregon’s next governor and climate change
On this week's episode, we look at the impact the next Oregon governor will have on the state's approach to climate change. For years, the state has used to government policies to actively fight the climate crisis. But the three candidates for governor this year could change that.
‘OPB Politics Now’: How Portland lost $1.4M
On this week's show, reporter Rebecca Ellis explains how the city of Portland lost $1.4 million to cyberhackers and what city leaders are doing to keep it from happening again.
‘OPB Politics Now’: Oregon’s public defender crisis explodes into public view
On this week's show, OPB reporters Conrad Wilson and Dirk VanderHart explain what's gone wrong in Oregon's public defense system.
Oregon’s unique growth rules have preserved open space but also led to new fights
Anyeley Hallovà chairs the commission that oversees Oregon's growth management system. She's passionate about developing compact neighborhoods that provide equitable and affordable housing — and that help combat climate change. But not everyone is happy about moving in this direction.
How a ‘little old lady’ nearly gutted Oregon’s growth rules
Property rights activists nearly derailed Oregon's growth management system in the early 2000s. And no one was more prominent — or colorful — than Dorothy English.
How freeway builders collided with Oregon’s growth management system
The proposed Westside Bypass freeway in Washington County had a lot of momentum — until critics said it ran afoul of Oregon's growth management system. The freeway fight in the early 1990s wound up affecting transportation policies throughout the state.
‘OPB Politics Now’: What Washington voters need to know about the Aug. 2 primary
Washington voters will decide primary races for U.S. House, the state Legislature and secretary of state. On a special election preview episode, OPB reporters Troy Brynelson and Austin Jenkins break down the big races.
Growing Oregon
OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes spent more than a year researching, reporting and producing “Growing Oregon,” a six-part podcast and web series looking at the evolution of Oregon’s unique approach to growth and the impact it has on our lives today. You can find the full series here.