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.
Send Dirk the best story ideas.
Latest Stories
Oregon Democrats’ transportation funding bill could raise $2B per year, analysis shows
A transportation funding proposal by Oregon Democrats would bring in more than $1.8 billion per year in fiscal year 2029 — and more than $2 billion annually by 2034 — according to a revenue analysis circulating in the Capitol.
Opponents of Oregon Democrats’ transportation bill are already raising money to send it to voters
Former state Sen. Brian Boquist filed a political committee to fight the bill last week.
‘OPB Politics Now’: What the ‘one big, beautiful bill’ would mean for Oregon’s health care system
The Trump administration's "one big, beautiful bill" is in the state Senate.
Oregon lawmakers pass scaled back bill granting striking workers unemployment checks
A bill that granted unemployment checks to striking workers in Oregon failed two days ago, but an amendment that capped benefits at 10 weeks gave it new life.
Bill to grant striking workers unemployment pay fails final vote in Oregon Senate
A contentious bill that would allow striking workers in Oregon to receive weekly unemployment checks saw a surprise defeat Tuesday when a key lawmaker pulled his support.
Oregon transportation bill gets panned by Republicans – even those who negotiated it
With 20 days left in this legislative session, Republicans ripped a Democratic proposal that would raise gas taxes and roughly 10 other taxes and fees, simplify how heavy trucks are taxed and more.
Trump administration challenges Oregon over voter rolls in lawsuit
At issue is whether the state is complying with a decades-old federal voting law.
Oregon Democrats prepare to release major transportation funding bill
It will include a 15-cent increase in the state’s gas tax along with other tax and fee hikes.
‘OPB Politics Now’: Oregon legislative session is almost over — what have they done?
Oregon lawmakers have just a few weeks to go in the 2025 legislative session.
Striking workers in Oregon are a step closer to receiving unemployment checks
Senate Bill 916, one of the session’s most contentious ideas, passed the House on Wednesday.
