Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is not seeking a third term. On this bonus episode of OPB Politics Now, Wheeler chats with Think out Loud's Dave Miller about that decision, what he hopes to accomplish in the next 15 months and much more. We'll be back Friday with a regular podcast episode

Portland wants to ban public drug use on sidewalks or public property, but it isn’t a simple fix. And the state’s largest homeless shelter, which was founded with assurances no public money was needed, is suddenly saved by Multnomah County. All that and more on this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now.

On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, politics reporter Dirk VanderHart explains the history of Oregon’s kicker tax rebate, why taxpayers will see a record return next year and the politics surrounding it.

The massive task force convened by Gov. Tina Kotek, which aims to address Portland’s many issues, met for the first time this week. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, politics reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart discuss the meeting, what people had to say and what might come out of the process.

With two quiet vetoes, Governor Tina Kotek has slowed the push to decriminalize sex work in Oregon. And it turns out the city of Portland’s top public safety official has been living in Sin City, not Stumptown. On this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now, Anna Griffin, Jonathan Levinson and Alex Zielinski tackle those two topics.

Oregon lawmakers wrapped up the legislative session earlier this summer with a flurry of bills. Plenty of topics were discussed in the final days of session, but one wasn’t at all: How, and why a mega project to renovate the Capitol was nearly $100 million over budget. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart discuss that project and Gov. Tina Kotek swooping in to try and solve Portland’s problems.

Intel growing, gas pumping, Congresswoman Hoyle testifying
On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, politics reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart discuss a surprisingly busy week despite the dog days of summer. They discussed Intel's big expansion and the state role, Oregon's new gas pumping future and a Congresswoman testifying.

On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, there's an inter-party skirmish happening among some of the biggest political entities in the state. Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss the effort to recall Rep. Paul Holvey and what it says about the labor world and the Democratic Party.

On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake and Alex Zielinski discuss the controversial idea from two Portland City Council members to ask voters to unwind the government overhaul package before it even took effect.

On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, Dirk VanderHart, Jonathan Levinson and Alex Zielinski discuss the Newport mayor’s resignation and the happenings inside Portland City Hall as the mayor’s race is already heating up.