Dirk VanderHart
JPR Oregon State Capitol CorrespondentDirk VanderHart covers Oregon politics and government for Oregon Public Broadcasting, a JPR news partner. His reporting comes to JPR through the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington. Before barging onto the radio in 2018, Dirk spent more than a decade as a newspaper reporter—much of that time reporting on city government for the Portland Mercury.
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Elections officials say it wouldn’t be difficult to transition back to a hard Election Day deadline, which was in place until 2022. -
A Marion County judge found the 2024 directive overstepped the governor’s legal authority. -
The ruling is a blow to Republicans who have insisted the vote should be held in November. -
State legislators started the session Feb. 2 and gaveled out after a flurry of major policy and funding moves. -
The tax credit was sold as a key economic development tool. It’s expected to be reduced by 60%. -
Two Republican lawmakers are joining dozens of citizens in challenging the maneuver. -
Republicans have vowed to file suit over the maneuver. -
SB 1511 would reduce the number of people paying the estate tax, but raise rates on those who do. -
The party offered no immediate reason for the walkout. -
Is Senate Bill 1507 a reckless tax hike or a sensible budget move? Lawmakers disagreed Monday. -
The idea emerged in an amendment posted Friday afternoon, but soon fell apart. -
Lawmakers are looking at freezing open positions and pulling money from certain programs as they work to avoid deep layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation.
