Dirk VanderHart
Dirk VanderHart covers Oregon politics and government for OPB. Before barging onto the radio in 2018, he spent more than a decade as a newspaper reporter—much of that time reporting on city government for the Portland Mercury. He’s also had stints covering chicanery in Southwest Missouri, the wilds of Ohio in Ohio, and all things Texas on Capitol Hill.
Dirk’s byline has appeared in USA Today, The New York Times, The Houston Chronicle, The Columbus Dispatch, The Oregonian, and more. He’s got a journalism degree from Michigan State University.
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Oregon lawmakers fretting over the Trail Blazers’ future in Portland have slapped a price tag on their effort to ensure the team stays put: $365 million. The state money is part of a larger public spending deal package — with Portland and Multnomah County — to ensure the Trail Blazers stay for decades to come. -
The Secretary of State says legislators risk subduing public input if they wait longer to pass a controversial bill. -
Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, says he’s leaning toward challenging Commissioner Christina Stephenson. -
Democrats were able to pass the bill, but House Republicans could use delay tactics. -
The party offered no immediate reason for the walkout. -
Is Senate Bill 1507 a reckless tax hike or a sensible budget move? Lawmakers disagreed Monday. -
The idea emerged in an amendment posted Friday afternoon, but soon fell apart. -
If some of Oregon’s most powerful leaders have any say — and they do — hundreds of millions of public dollars will soon be headed toward fixing up Portland’s Moda Center. -
Lawmakers are looking at freezing open positions and pulling money from certain programs as they work to avoid deep layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation. -
The state could become a part-owner of the arena in a bid to ensure the state’s NBA franchise remains in Oregon for decades to come.
