Dirk VanderHart
JPR Oregon State Capitol CorrespondentDirk VanderHart is JPR's Salem correspondent reporting from the Oregon State Capitol. His reporting is funded through a collaboration among public radio stations in Oregon and Washington that includes JPR. 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 state’s latest revenue forecast will dictate which spending bills survive the legislative session.
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In an opinion that could have reverberations for the upcoming legislative session, the court sided with state elections officials’ interpretation of the ballot measure voters approved aiming to end legislative walkouts.
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The subject is expected to be a flash point in this year’s legislative session.
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The comments from state Rep. E. Werner Reschke, R-Malin, are raising eyebrows as the legislature prepares to convene.
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The prominent intellectual and activist has some Democrats worried he could be a "spoiler" candidate. That's not likely in Oregon.
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Three years after Oregon eliminated criminal consequences for possessing small amounts of street drugs, influential lawmakers say it’s time for a course correction. Republicans say the changes wouldn’t be enough.
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Current Speaker Dan Rayfield has said he will lead the chamber through this year's legislative session, but a change could come soon after.
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Top Democrats hope the move would incentivize users to seek help while offering plenty of opportunities to avoid a conviction. It’s likely to have opposition on both sides of the state’s drug debate.
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Gov. Tina Kotek took Marshall off a task force considering higher beer and wine taxes because of a Facebook post her office called insensitive and inappropriate.
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A case before the Oregon Supreme Court seeks to block Trump from the ballot because of his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
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Tweaks to Measure 110, more speed cameras and new consequences for extremism are among laws that kick in on New Year's Day.
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Sen. Brian Boquist and Rep. Anna Scharf say Democrats have ignored an unconstitutional disparity in how heavy trucks are being taxed versus personal vehicles. Their push for a special session is unlikely to succeed.