OPB Politics Now

In this week’s episode, we discuss what lawmakers have accomplished in this year’s legislative session and what work remains with one week left in the session.

Nearly half a year after an Oregon lawmaker allowed a crowd of far right protesters to enter the capitol building, new evidence emerged showing that Polk County Republican Mike Nearman had explained to them days earlier how to breach the capitol. On this week’s OPB’s Politics Now, we unpack the latest and discuss what potential punishment awaits the lawmaker.

In this episode, we discuss two state lawmakers who have been accused of creating an unsafe work environment in the Oregon capitol. Two separate investigations have been launched. Lawmakers are reviewing the findings and considering possible punishments.

After a Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd, Oregon leaders made ambitious promises to change the state’s criminal justice system and policing standards. On this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now, we examine whether leaders have delivered on those promises and how policing and racial justice have changed in the state.

On this week's episode of OPB Politics Now, editor Anna Griffin talks to reporters Dirk VanderHart and Sam Stites about Oregon's surprisingly rosy financial outlook. State economists had predicted big budget problems because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, lawmakers are looking at a fight over the state kicker rule and how to spend a surprisingly large amount of tax revenue.

Portland city hall saw a shakeup this week, when a controversial bureau head announced she was leaving. On this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now, we’ll look at the ongoing saga in the city’s civic life bureau.

While Oregon is still in the dramatic throes of a legislative session, our neighbors to the north are all finished with their work. In this episode, we talk through some of the highlights of Washington’s most memorable legislative session in years. And we’ll check in on Oregon’s session, where progress has been halting.

The new census numbers are in. And as expected, Oregon will receive a new congressional seat for the first time in 40 years. We talk about what the addition of the sixth seat could mean for the state’s political maps.

It was a big week at the Oregon Legislature with some familiar themes: yet another lawmaker was accused of sexual harassment, there were more cases of the coronavirus and House floor sessions were once again delayed.

In this special episode, we bring you a conversation from OPB’s “Think Out Loud” with Oregon Republican Senator Bill Hansell who is facing heat for not walking out to deny a vote on a Democratic measure to ban firearms in state buildings. OPB host Dave Miller talk with him about why -- in his words -- he chose to “stay and fight” rather than “run and hide.”