OPB Politics Now

With Tax Day approaching, we dig into tax reform efforts at the national, state and local levels. OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes brings us input from former Oregon Sen. Bob Packwood on the joys and pitfalls of overhauling the federal tax code. We’ll also talk with Oregonian reporter Anna Marum about the big fight brewing over a proposed state tax on corporations. And Multnomah County government wants to protect us all from the dangers of sugary drinks the only way it knows how... with taxes of course! Julie Sabatier hosts.

We bring you a wide-ranging interview with Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney from OPB's Think Out Loud. As you'll discover right away, he's not only a fixture in Oregon politics — he's a real character.

Oregon’s leaders are picking fights with the Trump administration on a number of issues. The administration is pushing back, threatening to withhold grants from states that don’t get in line. Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB’s senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and EarthFix reporter Jes Burns about Oregon's differences with the federal government on immigration, environmental regulations, and marijuana legalization.

Portland commissioners are trying to enact a progressive agenda, but activists in council chambers are yelling at them to focus more on police reform and homelessness. With supporters of liberal causes pitted against one another, who wins? And we’ll touch on the Northwest’s role in the stalled effort to repeal Obamacare. Host Julie Sabatier talks with OPB news director Anna Griffin and senior political reporter Jeff Mapes.

Description: Oregon GOP Congressman Greg Walden is at the center of Republican efforts to replace the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare). The bill his committee came up with is not universally loved by Republicans, and it might not even make it to the president’s desk. This time, host Geoff Norcross talks with Bloomberg News health reporter Anna Edney and OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes about the political consequences of this effort.

Republicans in Oregon are feeling pretty good about themselves these days. The party holds the second-highest office in the state, and is expecting to mount a serious challenge to the Democrats’ hold on power in Salem. This time, host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and news director Anna Griffin about why Oregon Republicans are feeling so energized.

Republicans in Oregon are feeling pretty good about themselves these days. The party holds the second-highest office in the state, and is expecting to mount a serious challenge to the Democrats’ hold on power in Salem. This time, host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and news director Anna Griffin about why Oregon Republicans are feeling so energized.

President Trump said in a speech before Congress that he wants $1 trillion for infrastructure projects. Oregon lawmakers would love to get a cut of that. A transportation package is one of their top priorities this session. Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and Salem reporter Chris Lehman about which roads and bridges are likely to be prioritized, and how a transportation package could be funded.

President Trump said in a speech before Congress that he wants $1 trillion for infrastructure projects. Oregon lawmakers would love to get a cut of that. A transportation package is one of their top priorities this session. Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and Salem reporter Chris Lehman about which roads and bridges are likely to be prioritized, and how a transportation package could be funded.

Economists say Oregon will have an extra $200 million to spend in the next budget cycle. That sounds like a lot of money, until you realize that lawmakers are facing a budget gap of nearly $2 billion. Host Julie Sabatier talks with OPB political reporters Chris Lehman and Jeff Mapes about Oregon’s budget picture, and how it could be affected by federal action on health care and international trade.