OPB Politics Now

Latest Episodes:

Oregon's Lone Republican Congressman Greg Walden Sees Power Shift Under Trump Jan 19, 2018

Show notes

Since Donald Trump’s presidential victory, Oregon’s lone Republican congressman, Greg Walden, has enjoyed a higher profile and more power. But with more influence comes extra scrutiny. OPB political reporters Jeff Mapes and Lauren Dake, along with Central Oregon reporter Amanda Peacher discuss Walden’s tenure representing the state’s 2nd Congressional District with Trump in the Oval Office.

Understanding Measure 101 Jan 12, 2018

Show notes

Oregon voters will decide on Jan. 23 whether or not to approve up to $320 million in hospital and insurance taxes to help pay for the state’s share of Medicaid. The system funded by both federal and state dollars covers more than a million Oregonians.
We explain how the taxes help pay for Medicaid and what supporters and opponents are saying. And we explore what the Legislature will do when it meets in February if voters reject Measure 101. Host Anna Griffin is joined by OPB political reporters Lauren Dake and Jeff Mapes and by Courtney Sherwood, editor-in-chief of The Lund Report.

A Look Ahead At 2018 Jan 05, 2018

Show notes

There are many questions facing Oregonians in 2018. Who will be Oregon’s next governor? Should any Congressional representatives worry about midterm elections? Will Oregon highways get tolls? We look into the big political stories of 2018 with OPB political reporters Jeff Mapes and Lauren Dake, and news director Anna Griffin. Geoff Norcross hosts.

In-Depth On Vera Katz Dec 29, 2017

Show notes

Please fill out our survey and tell us what you want to hear in 2018: http://opb.org/politicsnow
Vera Katz was small in stature, but she had a big influence on Oregon politics. She was elected to three terms as Portland’s mayor and was the first woman to serve as speaker of the Oregon House. She died earlier this month at the age of 84 after a long battle with cancer.
We talked a bit about Katz and her political legacy on a recent episode, but this is a woman who did so much that it’s hard to capture in one conversation. So today, we’re bringing you a more in-depth look at Vera Katz.

The Politics Of Train Travel Dec 22, 2017

Show notes

The deadly crash of Amtrak train 501 near Tacoma Monday is drawing new scrutiny of passenger rail funding and oversight. Communities have been voicing concerns about the rerouting of the Cascades line for years, and Congressional efforts to make train travel safer haven’t materialized yet. Geoff Norcross is joined by OPB political reporters Jeff Mapes and Lauren Dake, and Seattle Times transportation reporter Mike Lindblom. We’ll also discuss the $1.5 trillion tax bill, and how it will be felt in Oregon.

Vera Katz’s Legacy & Mayor Ted Wheeler’s Handling Of Homelessness Dec 15, 2017

Show notes

Vera Katz passed away this week at age 84. She served three terms as Portland mayor, which has become a rare accomplishment.
Every mayor since has only served one term. She was also the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House in the Oregon Legislature.
We look back on Katz’s legacy in both roles.
We also dive into Columbia Sportswear’s role in the Portland homelessness debate.
Host Julie Sabatier talks with OPB news director Anna Griffin and senior political reporter Jeff Mapes, and Dirk VanderHart of the Portland Mercury.

Oregon National Monument Faces An Uncertain Future Dec 08, 2017

Show notes

President Trump ordered the shrinking of two national monuments in Utah this week. Attention immediately shifted to the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, which Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke says should also be smaller. We talk through the politics of these moves, and get into Oregon Gov. Kate Brown's actions on the thorny issues of the state budget and PERS. Short answer: task forces!

OHA Audit Shows Millions Misspent Dec 01, 2017

Show notes

Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson has just released an audit that shows the Oregon Health Authority misspent millions in taxpayer dollars. OHA oversees medical coverage for more than a quarter of all Oregonians and, according to the audit, the agency has failed to enact rigorous financial controls and properly determine who is eligible for coverage. But the audit also says Oregon isn’t alone in struggling to run the complex program – and supporters say it has done an heroic job of bringing coverage to hundreds of thousands of low-income Oregonians.
OPB political reporters Lauren Dake and Jeff Mapes join OPB news editor Anna Griffin to discuss the ups and downs of one of the biggest agencies in state government – and the impact the audit will have on the governor’s race and the health-care tax vote that will go before Oregonians in January.

Dennis Richardson's Backstory Nov 22, 2017

Show notes

We’re bringing you a conversation with an Oregon political figure that you might have missed when it originally aired. Secretary of State Dennis Richardson opened up to OPB host Kate Davidson as part of her “backstory” series, where she explores the pivotal experiences that shape the views of people in the public eye.

Kruse And Kitzhaber Back In The Spotlight Nov 17, 2017

Show notes

Oregon State Senator Jeff Kruse faces explosive new allegations of sexual misconduct. Former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber has agreed to pay a $1,000 fine for ethics violations surrounding his resignation from office nearly three years ago. And Portland City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly is engaged in an unusual Facebook feud with the local news media.
OPB political reporters Jeff Mapes and Lauren Dake, OPB news editor Anna Griffin, and Laura Gunderson, editorial page editor for the Oregonian/OregonLive discuss these three very different stories of Oregon politicians in the news this week

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

OPB Politics Now

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6