Dirk VanderHart

Anderson seemed to be the only person that could stand in Stephenson's way as she looks for another four years. opb.org/article/2026/0…

State Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, decided not to file to run for Oregon's Labor Commissioner, despite creating a website for the purpose. (Anderson was hoping for a 1-on-1 race against Commish Christina Stephenson but another person was in the race). #orpol

Don't think I've seen this before. Oregon lawmakers scrambling to figure out what to do on campaign finance this year sent a bill back to committee yesterday. Now they've passed it out of that same committee with zero changes. #orleg

Whoops! Left out that the $365M is for Moda Center renovations designed to keep the Blazers in Portland. #orleg

Maybe more notable, the total estimated costs of bonding for that money, which could tack on hundreds of millions in costs. #Orleg

As a bill to put $365M in state funding continues to move in the Legislature, some notable numbers are emerging. That includes the first estimates for how much will be diverted from the state's general fund in coming budgets. #orleg

Background on the bill, which is wonky: opb.org/article/2026/0…

The Oregon House is debating a bill that would nix some of the tax cuts passed by congress last year. If SB 1507 passes, state Rep. Ed Diehl, who already referred a gas tax hike to voters, says he'll collect signatures to send pieces of it to the ballot. #orleg

One thing Anderson thinks could help him? Democrats' insistence on pushing a gas tax vote from Nov. to May. Since labor commish is nonpartisan, it can be decided in the May election. Anderson thinks more people upset over a gas tax works in his favor. #orpol

Could Oregon have an interesting BOLI race this year? State Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, says he's close to announcing a challenge to Commissioner Christina Stephenson. #orpol opb.org/article/2026/0…

The Secretary of State's office just confirmed what many have suspected: 2/25 is not a hard and fast deadline to pass SB 1599. It's feasible it could pass 3/8 and still be successful, the SoS office says, though that's not recommended. #orpol #orleg

Meanwhile, House Republicans appear to be getting ready to refuse to attend a floor session this afternoon. That would block a first reading of SB 1599 in that chamber. That would push passage to 2/26 (at earliest). #orleg x.com/repgregsmith/s…

The Oregon Senate is about to convene and take up SB 1599, the bill to reschedule a public vote on gas tax/transpo fee hikes from Nov. to May The crucial question is whether a weekend of screw-turning has won Dems the votes they need. #orleg Background: opb.org/article/2026/0…

SB 1599 passes 17-13. Sen. Mark Meek was the only Dem against. #orleg

@CHold No one thinks it's passing on any date.

@dirquez I can't recall: do they think it has a better chance of passing in May or do they just rather it goes down in the primary? Because this seems like a lot of jockeying if it's just going fail regardless.