Dirk VanderHart
JPR Oregon State Capitol CorrespondentDirk VanderHart covers Oregon politics and government for Oregon Public Broadcasting, a JPR news partner. His reporting comes to JPR through the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington. Before barging onto the radio in 2018, Dirk spent more than a decade as a newspaper reporter鈥攎uch of that time reporting on city government for the Portland Mercury.
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Oregonians will see five statewide measures on the November ballot, including a vote to allow the legislature to potentially impeach the governor and an effort to tax business to support universal basic income. -
Peter Courtney, the longest-serving state lawmaker in Oregon history whose booming oratories and one-of-a-kind style made him a Salem legend, died Tuesday. He was 81. -
Finding a solution to the state鈥檚 road funding problems is one of the highest-profile 鈥� and politically tricky 鈥� problems lawmakers will consider next year. -
Ethics laws allow Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson to work in governor鈥檚 office, commission saysWhile not surprising, the findings could pave the way for an expanded role for Kotek Wilson in the executive office on a volunteer basis -
The declaration helps the state move resources and funding to hard-hit communities. -
The issue could demand attention when lawmakers meet next year. -
The ruling won鈥檛 immediately allow Oregon cities to begin penalizing unhoused people for resting on public property, due to a state law that puts limits on sweeping public camping bans. -
A memo by two Republican state lawmakers is the latest sign that the party believes it will benefit in November by attacking Democrats鈥� record on the nation鈥檚 southern border. -
Oregon Senate Democrats are planning a leadership shuffle in coming weeks, as the chamber鈥檚 top budget writer steps down from the role to focus on a statewide campaign. -
Economists cautioned that the potential of a $582 million refund was still shaky, with warning signs on the horizon. -
Kotek had scrapped plans earlier this month to nominate two men to the Oregon Forestry Board. -
The outcome sets up what could be a highly competitive race in the November general election.
