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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
Smith has had the gavel pulled before. Then-Speaker Tina Kotek yanked it in 2020, after Smith joined a Republican boycott of the House. He got it back later. www.opb.org/news/article...
opb.org
Oregon House Republicans A No-Show At Evening Session
Rep. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, said her caucus would deny Democrats a quorum needed to conduct business on Tuesday — and may stage more walkouts going forward.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Smith, known for playing ball with Democrats, has long been the only Republican with a gavel in a budget subcommittee. Story on his ethics case from @oregoncapitalchronicle.com is here: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/08/14/o...
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
Oregon ethics commission fines Rep. Greg Smith $12K for using office for pay raise, excess vacation  • Oregon Capital Chronicle
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission agreed to fine him for abusing his position as a leader of an Oregon public development authority.
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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 not that our party has great love for Christine Drazan," LPO Vice Chair Richard Burke told me. "It’s that we want Kotek to lose." #orpol
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
As we reported last week, the race has just one minor party entrant -- Pacific Green Party nominee Brett Smith. That could cut into Gov. Tina Kotek's vote. #orpol www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Could a third-party candidate shake up the Oregon governor’s race?
The lone minor-party nominee currently headed to the ballot could siphon votes from Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek.
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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
More on the Prosperity Council recommendations here. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
‘Prosperity Council’ wish list for Gov. Tina Kotek: lower taxes, less regulation, more land
The business-dominated group’s newly unveiled recommendations to boost Oregon’s economy will inspire fierce debate.
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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
Anderson seemed to be the only person that could stand in Stephenson's way as she looks for another four years. 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 · 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
Maybe more notable, the total estimated costs of bonding for that money, which could tack on hundreds of millions in costs. #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
Background on the bill, which is wonky: www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Oregon bill rejecting some Trump tax cuts clears state Senate
Is Senate Bill 1507 a reckless tax hike or a sensible budget move? Lawmakers disagreed Monday.
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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 · 25/02/2026
The latter. Thanks!
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
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
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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
That is not correct. That looks like an error on OLIS.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
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
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
SB 1599 passes 17-13. Sen. Mark Meek was the only Dem against. #orleg
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
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...
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
That motion fails. Now: debate. Sen. Jeff Golden a Dem expected to support the bill, gets real. "Both parties want the election day they want for partisan political reason. Everyone in this chamber knows it. Most Oregonians who are paying attention know it." #orleg
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
GOP is in filibuster mode as a vote approaches. They are moving that the vote be bumped to March 8. Arguments include: "March is the transition month... March also, of course, is legendary for its celebration of all things Irish. We’re not asking that this be moved to the 17th."
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Republicans clearly expecting SB 1599 to pass today. Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, stood up to rail against pressure over the bill. "When the majority wants a bill bad enough.. the full weight of the institution comes down," she says. #orleg
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Yes. It requires R votes to suspend the rules. My guess is that the alleged 2/25 deadline will be found to be squishier than it has been portrayed. But that is just a guess at this point.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Yes but that would take support from Republicans who despise this idea.
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Assuming the bill passes today, the question becomes timing in the House. I believe the earliest it could pass there, under the best conditions, is 2/26. Elections officials say SB 1599 should be signed into law by 2/25 to ensure the election can be moved to May. #orleg
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
It sounds to me like the weekend worked in Dems' favor. Sen Chris Gorsek, a Democrat who was a holdout on Friday, just told me he will back the bill after discussions over the weekend. #orleg
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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
Aaand wow. The Senate is now kicking the question of SB 1599 to next week, making clear Dems did not have their ducks in a row on this. A continuing trend in the transportation funding realm. #orleg #orpol
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
If the Dems have the votes to pass SB 1599 they are not acting like it. They have skipped over the bill repeatedly with no explanation. Wagner, the senate prez, is not at the rostrum. #orleg #orpol
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Dirk VanderHart @dirquez.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Democrats are starting down one vote: Sen. Janeen Sollman is absent today. Sen. Mark Meek has said he is a "no." That means all remaining Ds must vote yes. Sen. Jeff Golden has been hard to read. He told me earlier today he would reveal his intentions on the floor. #orleg
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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
Senate Democrats are expected to move a vote on SB 1599 to tomorrow, rather than today. That's the hugely contentious proposal to bump up a public vote on the gas tax package Dems passed last year. There is almost certainly more to the deal than that, but unclear what at present. #orleg #orpol
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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
ICYMI we reported on this last week. #orleg 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 · 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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