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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The party tapped state Sen. Bruce Starr, as its former leader announced he would leave the Senate. -
Three top Oregon Senate Democrats received false bomb threats amid rising political tensions; state police and FBI are investigating. -
Lawmakers have varying plans for what to do with their per diem, their daily allowance, during the next two weeks. -
Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham, is unable to come to Salem because of health struggles. His vote may be needed to pass Gov. Tina Kotek’s transportation funding bill. -
The tax bill needed help from a moderate Republican to make it over the finish line Monday. -
Democrats agreed to slash some funding they'd sought for public transit and Gov. Tina Kotek remained scarce. -
Democratic leaders have said finding a quorum would not be a problem as they look to raise transportation taxes. They were wrong Friday. -
The special session will dictate whether hundreds of state workers are laid off next month. -
Facing major uncertainty over federal policies, Oregon lawmakers set aside nearly $500 million when they passed a budget in June. -
Lawmakers held their first public hearing Monday on Gov. Tina Kotek’s proposal to hike transportation taxes.
