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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The surprising setback came after one of SB 916’s sponsors flipped his position. -
With 20 days left in this legislative session, Republicans ripped a Democratic proposal that would raise gas taxes and roughly 10 other taxes and fees, simplify how heavy trucks are taxed and more. -
At issue is whether the state is complying with a decades-old federal voting law. -
Senate Bill 916, one of the session’s most contentious ideas, passed the House on Wednesday. -
A bill headed to Gov. Tina Kotek would restore the power to appoint people to temporarily fill vacancies. -
House Bill 3582 would put Oregon in league with a growing number of states. -
Backers say SB 951 will close a loophole that has allowed health care decisions to be increasingly driven by profit motives. -
Beginning in 2027, grocers and restaurants will have to use recycled paper bags. -
The surprising development dredges up debate on a topic that once inspired multiple Republican walkouts. -
GOP lawmakers have launched three podcasts from a Salem basement this year, with more on the way. -
Lawmakers couldn’t find agreement, but speculated Gov. Tina Kotek would act. -
Even if Democrats agree on such a move, a vote to suspend the kicker would require two Republican votes in the 30-member Senate and four in the 60-member House.
