OPB Politics Now

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Lurching Towards Sine Die Jun 30, 2017

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Oregon lawmakers are making their way to the end of the session in fits and starts. They have to wrap up by July 10, and billions of dollars in transportation funding still hangs in the balance. What will it take to dedicate money to Oregon’s roads and bridges? Why is it so hard for lawmakers to agree on something that both sides say should be a top priority? OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and Register-Guard reporter Saul Hubbard attempt to answer these and other questions, including some listener mail! Julie Sabatier hosts.

Corporate Tax Reform Dies In Salem Jun 23, 2017

Show notes

Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced she and her fellow Democrats are abandoning efforts to increase corporate tax revenue. As a deadline looms to close a $1.4 billion budget gap, Brown and lawmakers are instead focusing their efforts on a healthcare provider tax and spending cuts.
Host Julie Sabatier talks with OPB political reporters Jeff Mapes and Chris Lehman about the failed effort to reform corporate taxes. They’ll also have an update on the $8 billion transportation package, and Oregon Ethics Commission review of former Gov. John Kitzhaber and his fiancée, former First Lady Cylvia Hayes.

Special Episode: Kitzhaber Is Cleared Jun 19, 2017

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Former Governor John Kitzhaber was a giant of Oregon politics until he resigned amidst an influence-peddling scandal in 2015. Two years later, the federal investigation into Kitzhaber and his fiancée Cylvia Hayes has concluded with no criminal charges. Host Julie Sabatier talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and Willamette Week reporter Nigel Jaquiss, who broke the original story about allegations Kitzhaber and Hayes used government resources to generate more than $200,000 in contracts for Hayes’s private consulting business.

A Busy Week For Oregon Senators Jun 16, 2017

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Wyden and Merkley made national news this week, albeit for different reasons. During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Ron Wyden got into an exchange with Attorney General Jeff Sessions that was called “testy” and “heated.” As for Jeff Merkley, CNN wrote a story suggesting Oregon’s junior senator could be a strong contender in the presidential primary in 2020.
This week, OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and host Geoff Norcross talk about how the senators are performing in the national spotlight. We also hear from OPB reporter Conrad Wilson about a Supreme Court hearing for Marion County Judge Vance Day, who could be removed from the bench.

Lawmakers' Plan To Fill $1.4 Billion Budget Hole, Motor Voter Voters Jun 09, 2017

Show notes

On the latest episode of "OPB Politics Now," we discuss Oregon lawmaker's proposals for closing the state's $1.4 billion budget shortfall. Democratic leaders announced a corporate tax plan that would raise nearly $900 million over the next two years. They also have a proposal to shift some of the burden of Oregon’s pension plan to its recipients. Geoff Norcross talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and Hillary Borrud, political reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive. And we get the highlights from political scientist Paul Gronke's survey findings about the affect of the state’s Motor Voter law on the the turnout and diversity of the Oregon electorate.

The Political Aftermath Of The Portland Train Stabbing Jun 02, 2017

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On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we talk about the political aftermath of the recent attack on a MAX train that left two men dead and one seriously injured. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s response brought up some serious questions about free speech vs hate speech. And two competing political rallies are planned for this weekend.

Ultimatums For Portland Water Bureau & Washington Legislature May 26, 2017

Show notes

This week, the Portland Water Bureau and the Washington Legislature were told to stop lollygagging on critical issues. The Oregon Health Authority ordered the City of Portland to treat its water for cryptosporidium, which it has refused to do for over a decade. And Washington Governor Jay Inslee called lawmakers back to Olympia for another special session to fix its infamous school funding problem.
Host Geoff Norcross and OPB news director Anna Griffin will talk with Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins and Portland Mercury reporter Dirk Vanderhart.

A Tale Of Two Revenue Forecasts May 19, 2017

Show notes

Depending on their party, lawmakers saw very different things in the quarterly economic and revenue forecast that came out this week. Either we have a broken tax system or more tax revenue than the state has ever seen. Can it be both?
Meanwhile, voters just passed the largest school bond measure in Oregon history. It means $790 million to upgrades for four Portland schools and getting lead out of the drinking water. Voters in the Bend-La Pine district also passed a measure to finance 159 projects in the district. But smaller districts weren't so lucky.
This week, host Julie Sabatier talks with OPB news director Anna Griffin, education reporter Rob Manning, and Gordon Friedman, political reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Tolls And Trees, Also Pie May 12, 2017

Show notes

Oregon lawmakers unveiled an $8.2 billion transportation package, which will widen highways and shore up bridges. The money will come from a combination of gas and sales taxes, and maybe even tolls. We’ll dig into the details of the proposal. We’ll also hear why the state Land Board changed its mind and voted not to sell the Elliott State Forest. Plus we find out what flavor is in the running to become the official state pie. Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes, Oregonian reporter Anna Marum, and EarthFix reporter Cassandra Profita.

This Is Not A Rerun May 05, 2017

Show notes

This week, the U.S. House took up a replacement bill for the Affordable Care Act, a protest in Portland got violent, and the Oregon Legislature released a corporate tax proposal. Sound familiar?
Host Julie Sabatier talks with OPB news director Anna Griffin and senior political reporter Jeff Mapes about these recurring themes in the news, and what's different this time.

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