OPB Politics Now

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has been consistent about her priorities since entering the governor’s mansion: housing, homelessness and healthcare. That’s left some wondering where she stands on climate and environmental issues. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Monica Samayoa discuss Kotek’s priorities and vision on the climate beat. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

What happens when the federal money faucet is turned off? Week two of the second Trump administration started with an effort to find out. On this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake, Dirk VanderHart and Bryce Dole discuss how the brief funding freeze played out in Oregon. Then, they also dive deep into the state’s growing eviction crisis and why Oregon continues to struggle to build enough housing.  

What does the second Trump administration mean for the Pacific Northwest? In the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we get a sense of what people had to say in the days before the inauguration and what happens next. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts and read our full coverage about the new administration at OPB.org.    

We are only a few days away from the 2025 long legislative session kicking off in Salem. State lawmakers' paramount duty is passing the next two-year budget.  But they likely won’t stop there.  On this week’s OPB Politics Now, we will dig into how the state will fund wildfires and ease the housing crisis. Plus, will there be new taxes? How will the legislative leaders get along in this new era? We’ll discuss. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts

New year, new government. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Alex Zielinski discuss the fascinating start of the new era of governance in Portland City Hall. They talked about the political fault lines emerging, the personalities on the council and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Keith Wilson seemed to come out of nowhere. Until earlier last year, he was a trucking company president whose one previous attempt at elected office got paltry results. Then, suddenly, he was a frontrunner in Portland’s high-stakes mayoral race, with an audacious pitch to solve the city’s most difficult issue. Now, he’s the mayor.  Given that swift turn of events, you might be asking yourself: Who is Keith Wilson? That's the topic of this week's episode of OPB Politics Now. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Earl Blumenauer is one of the longest-serving elected officials in Oregon history – if not the longest. He first won election to the Oregon House of Representatives in his early 20s, and over the course of five decades went on to serve on the Multnomah County Commission, Portland City Council and, most famously, for nearly 30 years representing Portland in Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District.In that time, Blumenauer has stood out for any number of reasons: his bow tie, his enthusiasm for bicycles, and his passion for cannabis legalization to name a few. But now he’s saying goodbye to public office, and looking forward to a role helping his hometown find its feet.Blumenauer came into OPB on December 13 to chat with reporter Dirk VanderHart. They chatted about Blumenauer's career, his take on national politics, and what comes next. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts. And if you have a question for the OPB Politics Now team as we head into 2025, shoot us an email at opbpoliticsnow@opb.org. (edited)  8:03 Andrew Theen fyi we're gonna start asking for reader questions via email/voice memo to see if we get any engagement.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has just over a week left in the mayor’s office. And he’s in a reflective mood. This week on the podcast we’re letting him look back on his eight years in office, give advice to his successors, and talk about what’s next. OPB Portland city government reporter Alex Zielinski sat down with Wheeler. He spent nearly two decades in elected office – starting as Multnomah County board chair, then as state treasurer. He entered the mayor’s office in 2017, and has overseen a uniquely tumultuous period of time that included the COVID-19 pandemic, massive racial justice protests, an explosion of deadly street drugs and a spike in homelessness. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts. And if you have a question for the OPB Politics Now team as we head into 2025, shoot us an email at opbpoliticsnow@opb.org.

The rising cost of wildfires has left Oregon lawmakers scrambling to pay their bills on time. On this week’s show, we look at the problem and the results of this week’s special session to pay 2024 fire costs.

Republican Christine Drazan is returning to a leadership role in Salem and she’s not the only change in the legislative power structure. Democrats switched things around as well. In Portland,  the new City Council is already putting in work, and part of that is cajoling colleagues to support their run for a new powerful position. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.