OPB Politics Now

Oregonians might have the opportunity to vote on a controversial new tax that’s designed to prop up the state’s Medicaid program. But they won’t get to weigh in on a new law that allows the confiscation of guns belonging to certain people deemed an extreme risk to themselves or others. This time, we dig into the ballot referendum process in Oregon and how it could affect two of the most divisive issues of our time. OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes, and Oregonian/OregonLive editorial pages editor Laura Gunderson join host Geoff Norcross.

Analysts predicted Oregon would lose more than any other state if the latest attempt to roll back the Affordable Care Act was enacted. It won’t be, though. The bill known was Graham-Cassidy was shelved after failing to earn enough support from Senate Republicans. We look at what Oregon stands to lose if this isn’t the last hurrah for the repeal effort. We’ll also get a status update on the effort to repeal a new state tax on health care providers. Host Julie Sabatier talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes, and Courtney Sherwood, editor-in-chief of The Lund Report.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions visited Portland this week, and railed against Oregon’s law that prohibits state law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration agents. He said these policies, “…have serious consequences for the law-abiding residents of Oregon.” At the same time, groups are gathering signatures for a ballot measure to repeal that state law. Host Julie Sabatier talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes, and Dirk Vanderhart, editor for the Portland Mercury.

Commissioner Dan Saltzman sent ripples through Portland city government when he announced he would not run next year. His replacement could be a woman of color, which would be a first for the council. Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB reporters Jeff Mapes and Amelia Templeton about the how the race is shaping up. We’ll also analyze Mayor Ted Wheeler’s response to a video that appears to show a police officer lobbing a distraction grenade at demonstrators last weekend.

Wildfires have scorched over 800 square miles in Oregon this year. Our lawmakers are trying to get more federal money to help the firefighting effort. Hurricanes have focused the federal government on disaster relief and that could mean big changes in the way fire funding works.
OPB political reporters Jeff Mapes and Chris Lehman join host Julie Sabatier to talk about the political, financial, and environmental complexities of wildfire.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown is under pressure to reduce the state’s liability for the public pension system. This week, the governor's task force on the pension deficit put forth several ideas for how to do that. Many of those ideas would end up costing all Oregonians. Not surprisingly, Republican lawmakers pounced.
Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB political reporters Jeff Mapes and Chris Lehman about some of the options on the table. We’ll also answer some basic questions about PERS, like how it got to be such a money pit in the first place.

Oregon’s unique “kicker” law means taxpayers will get $464 million in rebates next year. The news comes shortly after a legislative session that worked to close a $1.4 million spending gap. Yep, it’s a weird way to manage the state’s money.
OPB political reporters Jeff Mapes and Chris Lehman join host Julie Sabatier to answer your questions about the kicker, such as where it came from and why it’s so hard to change.

Nike co-founder Phil Knight gave GOP candidate for Oregon governor Knute Buehler’s campaign $500,000 this week. Even with that huge cash infusion, Buehler has way less money on hand than incumbent Kate Brown, who hasn’t even declared she’s running yet.
Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes about the big money that’s already flowing into the gubernatorial race. We’ll also hear what Governor Brown vetoed and what she signed this week.

You may think of August as a slow month for political news, but some of Oregon’s 2018 races are already heating up. OPB’s senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and news director Anna Griffin join host Julie Sabatier to talk about political gamesmanship in the race for governor, a state senator who is facing two interesting challengers and a former lawmaker who’s taking on a longtime Portland City Commissioner.

There’s a lot going on in the Portland Police Bureau these days. There’s the search for a permanent chief. The mayor has also proposed a new model for community oversight, which is attracting criticism.

This time, we’re listening to a couple of recent conversation’s on OPB’s "Think Out Loud." Host Dave Miller spoke with Mayor Ted Wheeler and T. Allen Bethel, president of the Albina Ministerial Alliance.