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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She says the state may begin layoffs in the coming week. -
The 2025 legislative session ended Friday evening at 11:15 p.m. after a marathon day packed with more drama and uncertainty than any session in recent memory. -
The party was scrambling Friday to come up with a modest alternative to its multi-billion dollar road funding bill. -
After tweaks that reduced its price tag, HB 2025 found at least one Republican supporter. -
An amendment unveiled Wednesday would scale back some proposed tax increases in House Bill 2025. -
A previous version of SB 916 failed in a surprising vote Tuesday. -
The surprising setback came after one of SB 916’s sponsors flipped his position. -
The bill will include a 15-cent increase in the state’s gas tax along with other tax and fee hikes. -
Senate Bill 916, one of the session’s most contentious ideas, passed the House on Wednesday. -
A bill headed to Gov. Tina Kotek would restore the power to appoint people to temporarily fill vacancies.
