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Dirk VanderHart

@dirquez.bsky.social
1.5K followers 119 following 163 posts

Artist, dog-lover and avid reader.

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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Interesting story from @courtneyvaughn.bsky.social: Republicans have complained for years about "ballot harvesting" carried out by labor and other Dem supporters. Christine Drazan's campaign is quietly planning to make it part of their strategy. #orpol www.portlandmercury.com/news/candida...
portlandmercury.com
Candidate For Oregon Governor Wanted Mail-In Voting Overturned. Now She’s Using It to Boost Her Campaign. - Portland Mercury
Despite her own legislative efforts for more stringent requirements to cast a ballot in Oregon, Christine Drazan’s campaign is utilizing the state’s current vote-by-mail system to potentially boost he...
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Rob Davis @robwdavis.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
New: Oregon has given out $1.4 *billion* to build low-income housing. The cost of those units is up 2X. Homelessness keeps increasing. “For all the public money, we seem to be digging a deeper hole." Yet Oregon is one of the only states that won't disclose the details of how that money is spent.
propublica.org
Oregon Is Spending More Than Ever on Low-Income Housing. A State Law Keeps the Details Secret.
The state has given developers an unprecedented $1.4 billion, and the cost of developing each subsidized apartment has nearly doubled. But, thanks to a carve-out in its public records law, Oregon does...
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Oregon is on the verge of its first three-candidate gubernatorial race in more than 20 years. Back in 2002, it was a conservative third-party threatening to act as a spoiler for Republicans. This year, it's the opposite. #orpol www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Kotek snags final minor-party nomination, likely cementing a three-way race for Oregon governor
With the Oregon Working Families Party’s decision, the state is on pace to have its least crowded race in more than two decades.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
On the same day state Rep. Greg Smith gets hit with $12,000 in fines from the state ethics commission, House Speaker Julie Fahey pulls his role as co-chair of a key budget subcommittee. #orpol #orleg
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
The Oregon Legislature tapped a firm to audit ODOT that also gets $$ from contracts with ODOT -- and no one seems to see anything wrong with that. Great story from @anastasiacmason.bsky.social. #orleg #orpol www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/p...
statesmanjournal.com
Firm won $1M ODOT contract. Now it’s auditing the agency | Exclusive
The Oregon Legislature selected an engineering firm to audit ODOT despite them being tapped to complete $1 million in work for the agency.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
It's looking increasingly unlikely the OR gov's race will include a conservative third-party candidate. The Libertarian Party of Oregon opted to cross nominate GOP state Sen. Christine Drazan over the weekend. #orpol
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Gov. Tina Kotek's reelection bid received its biggest check to date yesterday: $400K from IBEW Local 48. The money arrived the same day that Kotek accepted recommendations from a Prosperity Council that labor groups have been hostile to. #orpol
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Portland lost one of its most delightful journalists/human beings this weekend. 💔
oregonlive.com
Zane Sparling, reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, dies of cancer at 33
“He wanted his identity to be a reporter, and that’s what it was,” his father said.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
A poll has finally emerged in the heated GOP race for Oregon governor. It shows state Sen. Christine Drazan with a commanding lead. #orpol www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Christine Drazan holds sizable lead in GOP race for Oregon governor, new poll suggests
The poll by Salem-based Nelson Research is the first public survey to emerge in the battle to take on Gov. Tina Kotek in November.
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Ryan Haas @ryanjhaas.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
For more than a week, Amazon has managed to keep a death at its Troutdale, Oregon, facility out of public view. Workers I spoke to are pissed.
thewesternedge.media
‘Everyone is Replaceable’: Death Rattles Oregon Amazon Facility
A worker died at Amazon’s Troutdale warehouse last week. Employees were told to look away.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
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
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Whoops! Left out that the $365M is for Moda Center renovations designed to keep the Blazers in Portland. #orleg
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
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
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
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
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
All indications are that there's been a transportation funding deal for weeks. Lawmakers are just opting not to tell anyone what it is. #orleg
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
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 www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Oregon may have a real labor commissioner race on its hands
Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, says he’s leaning toward challenging Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
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: www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Lacking support, Oregon Democrats delay Senate bill to move gas tax vote
It’s just the latest misstep in an ongoing road-funding saga in the Capitol.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
The Oregon Senate is getting ready to vote on SB 1599 -- probably the legislative session's most contentious bill. It would move the date of a vote on gas tax increases from Nov. to May. The big question is whether Dems can find 16 votes in their 18-member caucus. #orleg
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Looks like Senate Republicans will be on the chamber floor today, after refusing to show up yesterday in protest. "We're proceeding," Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr just told me. #orleg #orpol
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
More GOP Oregon state representatives have reported accepting campaign donations during this year's session -- breaking a chamber rule that legislative attys say is likely unconstitutional. E. Werner Reschke accepted $500 on 2/2. Alek Skarlatos accepted $250 on 2/5. #orleg
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Lawmakers are about to hold a hearing on the most contentious question of the Oregon session: Whether to move a vote on gas taxes Dems passed last year from November up to May. Of nearly 3,300 pieces of testimony filed, I count fewer than 50 in favor. #orpol #orleg
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
ICYMI last week: The Oregon House has a rule that members can't raise campaign funds during session. At least one Republican is putting it to the test, after legislative attorneys said it is likely unconstitutional. #orleg #orpol www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Oregon House Republicans test rule barring political donations during session
A recent opinion by legislative attorneys suggested the longstanding rule is unconstitutional.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Oregon lawmakers got a slightly brighter budget picture this morning. They'd been planning for a $750 million budget hole. Now it's closer to $650 million. #orleg #orpol www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
As cuts loom, Oregon’s budget picture improves
A new revenue forecast suggests lawmakers have about $100 million more than they’d been planning for.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Oregon Democrats today unveiled their plan for reclaiming state money that is due to be lost to the Trump tax cuts. This figures to be one of the more heated debates of the new legislative session. #orpol #orleg www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Oregon Democrats float plan to reclaim state money lost to Trump tax cut bill
The proposal to disconnect from some pieces of H.R 1 is likely to generate friction in the brand-new session.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Oregon's (blessedly only) five-week legislative session begins today. It'll feature budget cut questions, attempts to push back on ICE, and a road-funding time loop. #orpol #orleg www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Oregon’s 2026 legislative session: What you need to know
Budget challenges, ICE activity and roads will compete for attention in the five-week session convening Monday.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
One of those magical stories which sparks outrage from... everyone!
opb.org
Portland councilors mull citywide foie gras ban
Portland city councilors will discuss a citywide ban on the sale of foie gras on Tuesday morning.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Yesterday, a union-backed campaign aimed at pushing Democrats to disconnect from the federal tax code roped in top lawmakers: Senate Prez Rob Wagner, House Speaker Julie Fahey. According to Meta those ads were active for less than an hour. #orpol #orleg
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Something you don't see every day: Oregon labor unions are targeting moderate Democratic lawmakers with unflattering ads. The aim: Forcing Democrats to reject tax changes in President Trump's H.R. 1 -- and therefore (functionally) raising taxes. #orpol www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Pressure campaign by Oregon unions targets Democratic lawmakers
Labor groups say the politicians need to take a vote that would help the state budget – but functionally raise taxes.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
To all the chaos that has surrounded Oregon’s quest for transportation funding in the last year, add this: Absolutely no one knows what happens next. #orpol www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
With Oregon gas tax hike headed to voters, legal confusion reigns
Can Democrats repeal the tax before a vote? What happens then? No one knows for sure.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Not something anyone I've talked to was expecting. Former state Sen. Tim Knopp, who led the longest legislative walkout in Oregon history, now works for Gov. Tina Kotek. #orleg #orpol www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek taps Republican rival to boost business relations
Tim Knopp, a former state senator from Bend, will join Kotek’s administration.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Gov. Tina Kotek now says lawmakers should scrap the transportation funding bill she muscled through the Capitol last summer. Kotek wants to cut her losses and start afresh, after Republicans forced a vote on tax increases in the bill. #orpol www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Gov. Tina Kotek now wants to scrap her newly passed transportation bill
The development comes after a Republican-led campaign delayed key tax increases in the bill.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
The Oregon DOJ is asking a judge to block the construction of an ICE detention facility in Newport -- a facility no one is sure is actually coming. www.opb.org/article/2025...
opb.org
Oregon asks judge to block potential ICE detention center in Newport
The state Department of Justice says the Trump administration hasn’t met key requirements.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
The US Coast Guard told Oregon's US Senators that it will return a rescue helicopter to Newport permanently. A lawsuit over the helicopter's sudden removal in Oct is ongoing. www.opb.org/article/2025...
opb.org
US Coast Guard returns rescue helicopter to Newport
The U.S. Coast Guard has permanently returned its rescue helicopter to Newport, after removing the aircraft without explanation in October. That’s according to Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, who sh...
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
With Gov. Tina Kotek's (long-expected) announcement that she's running for reelection this morning, it's the perfect time to revisit our comprehensive look at how her first term has gone. #orpol www.opb.org/article/2025...
opb.org
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says she’s made progress on major issues. Even some fans are skeptical
As the governor prepares to launch a reelection bid many believe will succeed, she may need to address the sense that she has underwhelmed.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
The campaign hoping to refer Oregon's newly passed gas tax increase to next year's ballot now says it has more than 150,000 signatures -- roughly double of what it needs. #orpol
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
There are new signs of life for a rumored immigrant detention center in Newport. #orpol www.opb.org/article/2025...
opb.org
A federal defense contractor seeks hundreds of coastal Oregon hotel rooms, city of Newport says
It’s just one recent sign that interest over an immigrant detention facility on the coast hasn’t faded.
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OPB @opb.org · 25/11/2025
Four of Oregon’s top lawyers are “highly concerned” about immigration officers stopping a group of teenagers at gunpoint in October and, last week, arresting a high school student on his lunch break.
opb.org
Oregon attorney general, county prosecutors warn federal officers that excessive force will be investigated
Elected prosecutors from Oregon’s three largest counties along with Oregon’s attorney general say they’ll investigate federal law enforcement officers when their actions appear criminal.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
That was quick. A federal judge has ordered the Coast Guard to immediately return a rescue helicopter it quietly moved away from Newport last month. www.opb.org/article/2025...
opb.org
U.S. Coast Guard must return rescue helicopter to Newport, judge rules
The temporary order comes just three days after a lawsuit challenging the removal
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
There is growing evidence ICE is planning a new detention center on the Oregon coast. The latest: an ICE contractor is hiring "detention officers" in Newport. #orpol www.opb.org/article/2025...
opb.org
A federal contractor is looking to hire ICE detention officers in Newport
It’s the latest sign U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcment is planning a major new facility on the Oregon Coast.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
New: Speculation that ICE might be planning a new facility on the Oregon coast kicked off last week, when a federal contractor told Newport officials it would assist in a federal mission at the city's airport scheduled Dec 1. #orpol www.opb.org/article/2025...
opb.org
Inquiry from defense contractor spurred concern about ICE facility on Oregon Coast
A letter to the City of Newport last week suggested that unspecified federal operations are planned for December.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
I've been hearing all day about rumors that ICE wants to set up a new outpost on the Oregon coast. Newport officials say their airport is in the agency's sites. #orpol www.opb.org/article/2025...
opb.org
Newport officials raise alarm about possible new ICE facility
Rumors have spread since last week that the Trump administration is planning an outpost on Oregon's central coast.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Gov. Tina Kotek has signed the transportation funding bill lawmakers passed over a month ago. Opponents now have until Dec 30 to collect enough signatures to send taxes in the bill to the ballot for voter approval. #orleg #orpol
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated a ruling that President Trump lawfully called the National Guard into Portland. The court will hear the matter "en banc" after its judges voted to take up the case.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Gov. Tina Kotek has not announced her reelection bid yet. But her campaign is tweeting this out on the morning Christine Drazan will announce her own gubernatorial run. Betsy Johnson ran against both women in 2022. And her tune on Kotek was very different then. #orpol
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
State Rep. Christine Drazan just pursued -- and won -- an open Senate seat, even though she plans to run for governor. That may seem confusing until you realize Senators can raise political cash during legislative session. Reps cannot. #orleg #orpol www.opb.org/article/2025...
opb.org
Republican Christine Drazan appointed to Oregon Senate
The former house republican leader is expected to announce she’ll run for governor in 2026.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
President Donald Trump is sending 300 California National Guard members to Oregon after a judge blocked the administration from deploying that state’s guard to Portland, according to California Gov. Gavin Newsom. apnews.com/article/nati...
apnews.com
California governor says Trump is sending 300 California National Guard members to Oregon
California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the Trump administration is sending 300 California National Guard members to Oregon.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Way before Tom Dundon was the potential savior of one of Oregon's most beloved institutions, the state accused him of being a car loan shark. (My words not theirs.) www.opb.org/article/2025...
opb.org
Before Tom Dundon agreed to buy the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon accused the company he created of predatory lending
In 2020, Oregon sued Tom Dundon’s former company for allegedly preying on Oregonians through high-interest car loans they couldn’t afford in a case involving more than 265,000 borrowers nationwide.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
New: According to staff, the Senate floor session scheduled for tomorrow is likely to be delayed again -- by perhaps weeks -- because Sen Chris Gorsek can't make it to the Capitol. Gorsek has been battling health problems, but is needed to pass a tax package. #orleg #orpol
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Notable #orleg news. State Rep. Annessa Hartman, D-Gladstone, says she won't run for re-election. Instead she's seeking a seat on the Clackamas County Commission. Hartman does not have many positive things to say about legislative politics in her announcement.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
NEW: State Rep. Cyrus Javadi is now a Democrat. After a decisive vote in favor of Gov. Tina Kotek's transportation tax package on Monday, Javadi will seek reelection next year as a member of the majority party. #orpol #orleg www.opb.org/article/2025...
opb.org
Oregon state Rep. Cyrus Javadi switched political teams, registers as a Democrat
The move comes after Javadi took a tax vote this week that infuriated some Republicans.
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