The Oregon State Capitol building in Salem, photographed on Feb. 25, 2026 during the short legislative session.
Julie Sabatier / OPB
Oregon state lawmakers packed a lot into the 2026 short session before it adjourned last week. It’s also been years since lawmakers, lobbyists, the public and the press have worked together in the State Capitol building. The building has been under construction for the past three years and it has only been partially open during that time. Before the construction project, the COVID-19 pandemic made pretty much everything virtual. The short session that just wrapped up brought everyone back together under one roof to work on a range of policies — from transportation funding to foster care — in just 35 days.
OPB politics reporter Lauren Dake stands on the steps of the Capitol building in Salem on Feb. 25, 2026.
Julie Sabatier / OPB
Evergreen producer Julie Sabatier tagged along with OPB politics reporter Lauren Dake just before the session adjourned to hear what it was like in the Capitol building.
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