Opb Politics Now

Legislators in Oregon and Washington promise to clean up their act next year when it comes to combating sexual harassment in their own ranks. In this episode, we look at what’s changing and whether it will really make a difference.

We take a look at the political ramification of three works in progress: The push to toll several roads in the Portland region, the pursuit of Major League Baseball for Oregon and the Bureau of Labor and Industries’ investigation of sexual harassment at the state Legislature.

The economy is buzzing. Unemployment rates are low. Yet, the state of Oregon is facing a budget shortfall. In this week’s OPB Politics Now, we dig into the governor’s $23.6 billion budget proposal and discuss how a tax hike could be in Oregonian’s future.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler had perhaps the worst week of his tenure. First, his colleagues on the Portland City Council refused to give him more power over where and when political protests can be held. Then, after a forum on homelessness, he was heard muttering a suggestion that he may not want another term in office. Is the problem this particular mayor or Portland’s unique form of government? We dissect Wheeler’s very bad week and the city’s legacy of one-term mayors.

Next year, Oregon lawmakers plan to take up gun control and climate change. And coincidentally, Washington voters just considered the same issues. We’ll look at the Evergreen State’s recent fights over guns and carbon, and what they can tell us about Oregon’s future.

It’s Finally Election Day, And We Have Winners — And Losers. In this special late-night edition of OPB Politics Now, our team of reporters breaks down the results in the Oregon governor’s race, Portland City Council and state and local ballot measures and talk about what it means for the 2019 Legislature and beyond.

We’ve talked a lot about national politics this year, but local races matter too. Oregon voters are deciding whether Democrats will take back a supermajority -- and face an easier path to raising taxes -- in the state legislature. And in 10 counties, they’re considering whether to give sheriffs more power when it comes to the second amendment.

This year’s campaign for Oregon governor is the most expensive in state history. On this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now, we compare Governor Kate Brown and Republican challenger Knute Buehler on the issues— and look at what they both need to do to win.

Oregon voters face big decisions this election on abortion, immigration and tax policy. In this special episode, OPB reporters explain the history and ramifications of four measures on the Nov. 6 ballot. Measures 103 and 104 have to do with tax policy – should grocery taxes be banned and should it be harder for legislators to raise revenue. Measure 105 would overturn the state’s 30-year-old sanctuary state law, which limits how much local police can aid federal immigration enforcement. Measure 106 would bar public money from being used to pay for abortion, essentially barring women using Oregon’s version of Medicaid and many government workers from paying for abortions with their health insurance.

Ballots have hit the mail in Oregon. On this live episode of OPB Politics Now, the team breaks down the big issues on Oregon and Southwest Washington ballots, including all five statewide Oregon measures, the governor’s race, Congressional races in Washington and Southern Oregon and the Portland City Council race. No matter your politics, this wide-ranging conversation between OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and political reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart will help you figure out your ballot. News director Anna Griffin hosts.

Democrats are trying to take back control of the US House. Two of the Republican incumbents they’re targeting are in the Pacific Northwest. We discuss hot Congressional races in Southwest Washington and Southern Oregon.

Hear from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kate Brown in this special episode of OPB Politics now.

Hear from Republican gubernatorial candidate Knute Buehler in this special episode of OPB Politics now.

Hear from Independent gubernatorial candidate Patrick Starnes in this special episode of OPB Politics now.

We discuss the historic runoff election for the open Portland City Council seat.

Oregon voters have two tax measures to consider when ballots arrive later this month. One would ban taxes on groceries. Another would make it harder for legislators to raise revenue.

Oregon is a consistently liberal state. Yet conservative activists have succeeded in putting measures on the November ballot that would change state law on abortion and immigration. On this week’s OPB Politics Now, OPB news director Anna Griffin, senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and reporters Dirk VanderHart and Conrad Wilson break down Measures 105 and 106.

Portland City Council candidate JoAnn Hardesty is facing some big questions about her financial past. We’ll discuss that, along with the ins and outs of a regional housing measure and a proposed Portland clean energy tax.

The west coast has been ravaged by wildfires. And it turns out the way we have been fighting fires for the last century has been wrong.

Recent history has shown that star power can help you get elected to public office. But can it work when the office you want is county commissioner? And, do sports fans care which party Paul Allen and Phil Knight support with the money they spend on tickets, t-shirts and shoes?