OPB Politics Now

Much of Oregon relies on our forests to generate cash for roads, bridges, law enforcement and more. But for decades, that money has faded as the timber industry has struggled. Now those problems are coming to a head in a whole new way.. On the latest episode of OPB politics now, we explore how Oregon’s timber counties are bracing for losses after the passage of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill and the complex history of logging, federal lands and politics mix. Find the show anywhere you get your podcast.

Gov. Tina Kotek’s office released an analysis this week detailing how much money Oregon stands to lose in federal funding. The state could lose more than $15 billion it uses to pay for health care and food assistance programs and a whole lot more. But Republicans have a different take: It’s not the big beautiful bill that’s going to hit Oregon’s economy, it’s the overtaxing of Oregonians that is hurting the working class. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss the latest. 

Portland and other Democratic-leaning cities are trying to figure out how to respond to Trump administration 2.0. On the latest live edition of "OPB Politics Now," reporters Bryce Dole and Alex Zielinski talk about what the city did before, what it's doing now and what observers have to say about it.

Oregon has some of the strictest land-use policies in the nation. And those laws have made Oregon what is today. They’ve protected farmlands and preserved coastlines. They’ve pushed developers to build up - not out - in an effort to avoid sprawl. And they have prompted endless battles as housing becomes more expensive and farm land becomes less available. The latest land-use battle pits farm stands - think U-pick, corn mazes, and concerts -- up against some of the state’s biggest conservation groups. We’ll discuss all that and more on the latest episode of OPB Politics Now.

President Donald Trump has spent his first six months back in the White House using broad executive orders and aggressive raids and deportations to overhaul longstanding immigration practices. The unpredictability of these actions has stoked fear and confusion among immigrant communities across the country – and in Oregon.
On this week’s OPB Politics Now, reporters Conrad Wilson, Troy Brynelson and Alex Zielinski help us understand how federal immigration policies under this administration are impacting the lives of Oregonians – and how advocates, lawyers and the courts are stepping in.

For months, there has been speculation that U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley would not seek re-election. But we learned last week that one of the U.S. Senate’s most outspoken progressives will indeed seek a fourth term. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we’ll break that down and dig into the latest rumblings about a possible special legislative session in Salem.

Oregon lawmakers have finished their more than five-month session, where they debate, pass laws and approve a budget for the next two years. The session ended with drama, intrigue and one major political failure by the majority party. On this week's OPB Politics Now livestream, political reporters Dirk VanderHart, Bryce Dole and Alex Zielinski help us understand why the transportation package failed and what it may mean for your commute. They also discussed new gun laws, changes to how the state handles mental illness, and what’s being done to pay Oregon's wildfire bills.

The past few days of the legislative session have produced a lot: drama, vetoes, people removed and added to a key committee. The mad dash to sine die continues. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we discuss the major events of the week. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Oregon lawmakers have less than two weeks left in this year’s legislative session. What have they done to tackle the state’s lagging education system? I’m Bryce Dole. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we dive into the major education topics in Salem this session. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Oregon is rarely a major player on the national political scene, but the Trump administration’s Big Beautiful Bill could play an outsized role in the Beaver State. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, politics editor Andrew Theen and reporters Amelia Templeton and Dirk VanderHart discussed what the bill might mean for people who depend on the Oregon Health Plan. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

An issue that once prompted a Republican legislative walkout and derailed two legislative sessions is back. On this week’s OPB Politics Now, we’ll discuss why a controversial climate proposal has suddenly re-emerged and what happens next. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.

The Oregon Legislature is racing toward a conclusion in the coming weeks. On this week's episode of OPB Politics Now, we’re going to bring you a special episode from our OPB colleagues and friends at The Evergreen podcast. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at what our lives are like down at the state Capitol in Salem. Usually, OPB Politics reporter Dirk Vanderhart is bringing you the news on this podcast. This week, you’re going to get a glimpse into how he finds it. Enjoy the show!

Oregon’s most important revenue forecast, the one that lawmakers used to write the two-year budget, was released this week. It showed that the state is expecting more money to roll in, but significantly less than the amount predicted just three months ago. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Alex Zielinski discuss the revenue outlook, what it says about the state political situation and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts. 

During his campaign to be Portland’s next mayor, Keith Wilson had an idyllic pitch for the city’s future. Now the mayor is up against his first major challenge: balancing the budget. With a huge funding gap, how does Wilson hope to confront the city’s problems? On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Bryce Dole and Alex Zielinski discuss Wilson’s plans, the political tradeoffs and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Oregon lawmakers are increasingly relying on bills that are not what they initially seem. Lawmakers this session filed a record number of placeholder bills, which are often just empty vessels of legislation that morph into something more significant later in the legislative process. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss the rise of placeholders, why lawmakers use them and why transparency advocates and citizens are concerned. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

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.

Tariffs have been one of the dominant themes of the first few months of the Trump administration. And Oregon businesses are feeling the pinch, and the uncertainty. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we discuss how Oregon businesses are responding to the tariffs and what it could mean for consumers. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.

Oregon’s legislative session is at the midway point. I’m Lauren Dake. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we discuss what the Legislature has accomplished so far, how the Trump administration has affected Salem and much more. Find the show where ever you get your podcasts

The Pacific Northwest’s rugged beauty - our mountains, forests, deserts and rivers - is a draw for many of us who call this region home. For decades, many of our most powerful rivers have been tamed - by dams. But in recent years we’ve seen some major dams come down. And it’s possible more big changes are afoot. Is that good? Bad? We’ll discuss the politics of dam removal on the latest episode of OPB Politics Now. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Democrat Melissa Fireside came out of nowhere in November to win a key election in Oregon’s third most populous county. But the Clackamas County commissioner’s sudden rise came with an even quicker downfall. It’s just the latest change on a county board that’s seen the political pendulum go back and forth many times in the past decade.  Settle in and turn up your volume- it’s time for a Fireside chat. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek stopped by the OPB studio this week for an extended interview with Think Out Loud. She talked about her housing policy, what she views as her role in responding to the Trump administration and much more. It was a meaty conversation. Here’s governor Kotek with OPB’s Dave Miller

Many Oregon students are struggling to pass tests and graduate. State lawmakers and Gov. Tina Kotek are trying to do something about it. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we talk about the state of Oregon schools and the policies proposed during this year’s legislative session. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Having 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.

Oregon’s congressional delegation got an earful at recent town halls, and strong feelings seem to be growing. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we talk about the town halls, what constituents are saying about the Trump administration’s policies and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.