OPB Politics Now

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How Are We Going To Fix PERS? Sep 01, 2017

Show notes

Oregon Governor Kate Brown is under pressure to reduce the state’s liability for the public pension system. This week, the governor's task force on the pension deficit put forth several ideas for how to do that. Many of those ideas would end up costing all Oregonians. Not surprisingly, Republican lawmakers pounced.
Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB political reporters Jeff Mapes and Chris Lehman about some of the options on the table. We’ll also answer some basic questions about PERS, like how it got to be such a money pit in the first place.

Answers To Your Kicker Questions! Aug 25, 2017

Show notes

Oregon’s unique “kicker” law means taxpayers will get $464 million in rebates next year. The news comes shortly after a legislative session that worked to close a $1.4 million spending gap. Yep, it’s a weird way to manage the state’s money.
OPB political reporters Jeff Mapes and Chris Lehman join host Julie Sabatier to answer your questions about the kicker, such as where it came from and why it’s so hard to change.

Oregon Governor’s Race Brings In The Money Aug 18, 2017

Show notes

Nike co-founder Phil Knight gave GOP candidate for Oregon governor Knute Buehler’s campaign $500,000 this week. Even with that huge cash infusion, Buehler has way less money on hand than incumbent Kate Brown, who hasn’t even declared she’s running yet.
Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes about the big money that’s already flowing into the gubernatorial race. We’ll also hear what Governor Brown vetoed and what she signed this week.

The Game Is Afoot Aug 11, 2017

Show notes

You may think of August as a slow month for political news, but some of Oregon’s 2018 races are already heating up. OPB’s senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and news director Anna Griffin join host Julie Sabatier to talk about political gamesmanship in the race for governor, a state senator who is facing two interesting challengers and a former lawmaker who’s taking on a longtime Portland City Commissioner.

The Future Of The Portland Police Aug 04, 2017

Show notes

There’s a lot going on in the Portland Police Bureau these days. There’s the search for a permanent chief. The mayor has also proposed a new model for community oversight, which is attracting criticism.
This time, we’re listening to a couple of recent conversation’s on OPB’s "Think Out Loud." Host Dave Miller spoke with Mayor Ted Wheeler and T. Allen Bethel, president of the Albina Ministerial Alliance.

An East Coast View Of Oregon Jul 28, 2017

Show notes

This week, the Washington Post posted an interview with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who is an anomaly these days: a woman governor leading a state with a Democratic majority in the statehouse. Only Rhode Island can make the same claim.
Host Geoff Norcross and OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes talk with Washington Post reporter Amber Phillips about her piece on Gov. Brown, and why East Coast journalists view Oregon as the center of resistance to President Trump and his policies. We also talk with Oregonian/OregonLive political reporter Hillary Borrud about accusations of sexism in state politics.

Oregon Governor Brown At The End Of The Session Jul 21, 2017

Show notes

We’re taking advantage of a slow week in Oregon politics to bring you a recent conversation with Oregon Governor Kate Brown on OPB’s "Think Out Loud."
Host Dave Miller sat down with Brown after the legislative session ended in Salem to take stock of her agenda and look ahead to 2018.
We’re back next week with a brand new episode.

Now What? Jul 14, 2017

Show notes

Now that Oregon lawmakers are finished with passing bills for a while, they have time to consider their next moves. We dig into the election maneuvering now taking wing. We’ll talk about which politicos might file for which offices and look ahead to the next statewide ballot, which could be stuffed with measures for you to vote on.
This week, host Julie Sabatier talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes, and Saul Hubbard, who covers politics for the Register-Guard.

That’s A Wrap! Jul 10, 2017

Show notes

The 2017 Oregon legislative session is finally over! On this special episode, we talk about what passed, what didn’t, and where all of that leaves Oregon politics. OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and Oregonian/Oregonlive reporter Hillary Borrud join host Julie Sabatier.

Oregon Bucks The Trend On Health Coverage Jul 07, 2017

Show notes

***As of our taping Friday morning, the Oregon Legislature is still in session. Look for a special episode Monday, July 10 recapping the highlights once the session wraps up.***
While Congress continues to negotiate rolling back the Affordable Care Act, Oregon lawmakers are going the other way. Both chambers approved controversial bills. One would extend health insurance to children who are in the country illegally. Another would require insurance companies to cover reproductive care, including abortions.
We talk about why Oregon lawmakers are so willing to counter the federal government on such hot-button issues. Host Geoff Norcross is joined by OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and news director Anna Griffin.

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