About The Political Center

The Political Center is an Oregon-based news and information channel focused on covering the people, policies, and decisions shaping Oregon politics. Our reporting and commentary come from a team of political insiders with firsthand experience in Oregon’s political system, offering context and insight you won’t find in press releases or surface-level coverage.

Our goal is simple: to shed a clear, balanced light on Oregon politics, from hyperlocal issues to statewide developments. Using video, podcasts, social media and the written word we aim to make complex political processes more accessible and understandable, helping Oregonians stay informed about how decisions are made and who is making them.

The Political Center works in partnership with the Salem Business Journal and What’s Happening Salem to expand access to timely, relevant political information and bring greater transparency to Oregon’s civic landscape.

The Day the Daylight Died

On Feb. 2, the Oregon Senate convened the 2026 legislative session…

Access or Excess?

Legislative leadership believes that time has come and have introduced HB 4002 to limit the number of bills legislators can request be drafted by Legislative Counsel. As in the game of golf, the more strokes you take is not a sign of productivity.

Week Two: When the Calendar Tightened

If the first week of session was defined by the arrival of the…

Oregon’s Tax Disconnect Debate and the Tradeoffs Lawmakers Can’t Escape

A roughly $300 million question is forcing Oregon policymakers…

Week One: When the Math Arrived in Salem

The first full week of Oregon’s legislative session made one…

The Stress Test of Federalism

Editor's Note: This series is not about cheering state resistance…

Death of the Oregon Health Plan?

In 1994, Oregon, under the leadership of then Senate President…

Political Center Podcast: Featuring Sen. James Manning

Sen. James Manning, Oregon Senate President Pro Tem, joins Jesse Peone of The Political Center to discuss his priority legislation for the short session.

Vanessa Nordyke and the Challenger’s Test

This is the third of a three-part series on the 2026 Salem mayoral…
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