Lauren Dake
OPB
Portland, OR, United States
Contact Lauren
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
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Past articles by Lauren:
‘OPB Politics Now’: Whiskey scandals and cannabis taxes
On this week's show, we'll explain the unfurling scandal over rare alcohol and how state regulators may have abused their access. And we'll look at the growing call for changes in how Oregon spends cannabis taxes under Measure 110, the historic drug decriminalization law. → Read More
Oregon governor explains how she wants to spend $130 million in homelessness money
The governor believes the money should be spent to stave off homelessness for about 9,000 people and to expand shelter capacity by 600 beds within one year, among other things. → Read More
Oregon Legislature begins 2023 work with focus on housing and homelessness
When the 2023 Oregon legislative session begins in earnest on Tuesday, there will be new leadership, a host of new faces and some very familiar problems. → Read More
Oregon’s treasurer wants $90B pension fund to drop fossil fuels
Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read wants the state to stop investing in companies that contribute to global warming, divesting the state's pension fund from all fossil fuels and other carbon-producing companies by 2050. Read said the state’s pension fund would be able to do this while still protecting people’s retirement accounts and maximizing financial returns. The Oregon Public Employees… → Read More
Democrat Tina Kotek will be Oregon’s next governor
Kotek is the longest-serving House Speaker in Oregon history and will be Oregon’s first openly lesbian governor. She has promised a more proactive, but still compassionate, approach to homelessness and crime in Oregon, than her predecessor, Gov. Kate Brown. → Read More
State lawmakers consider lifting ban on self-service gas in Oregon
House Bill 4151 dives into the seemingly age-old controversy in Oregon of whether it’s time to allow for self-service gas pumps. Oregon remains only one of two states that doesn’t allow drivers to pump their own gas. But this time, the discussion is coming in the midst of a global pandemic and nationwide workforce shortage. → Read More
2021 Oregon Legislature halfway point: Policies take a backseat to the politics
Last week, the 2021 legislative session reached its half-way point. The hope that the unprecedented crises facing the state — homes ravaged by wildfires, people dying of COVID-19, a racial reckoning movement underway — would inspire political unity has all but died. → Read More
Oregon lawmakers approve bill to turn hotels and motels into housing, shelters
Oregon state lawmakers approved a measure on Wednesday that embodies the times we are living in: The bill would ease the ability to convert hotels and motels — pummeled by the coronavirus pandemic — into long-term affordable housing for people who lost their homes in the wildfires or who are otherwise unhoused. → Read More
Poll: Oregonians hold negative views of governor, mixed on state’s COVID-19 response
In a recent poll of Oregonians, majorities said they support increasing the state«s minimum wage to $17 an hour in 2022, oppose allowing prisoners to vote. Survey participants said homelessness is the state»s most pressing crisis. → Read More
3 finalists selected to replace seat held by former Rep. Hernandez
Hernandezs resignation effective today; Multnomah County commissioners will select from three finalists. → Read More
Rep. Diego Hernandez’s resignation effective March 15
On Monday afternoon, Hernandez revised the date of his departure from the Oregon state Legislature, saying he plans to stay in office through March 15, rather than March 31 as he had originally proposed → Read More
Judge clears the way for Oregon House vote to expel Rep. Diego Hernandez
Rep. Diego Hernandez’s attempt to stop the House of Representatives from voting on whether to expel him from the state Legislature failed on Friday after a judge ruled. → Read More
US lawmakers request investigation into youth congregate care facilities, including one Oregon relied heavily on
Several members of Congress are requesting the Office of Inspector General investigate youth congregate care and residential facilities, including those operated by a company Oregon previously sent dozens of foster youth to for treatment. → Read More
Oregon lawmakers kick off hearings into alleged harassment by Rep. Diego Hernandez
A nine-month long investigation into Hernandez’s behavior found the state lawmaker created a hostile workplace environment and made two women feel pressure to either rekindle their relationships with the East Portland lawmaker or risk jeopardizing their careers. Another woman who was in a long-term relationship with the lawmaker said he was controlling and abusive. → Read More
Gov. Brown backtracks on decision to shield COVID-19 details
Gov. Kate Brown orders the Oregon State Health Authority to continue to release detailed data. → Read More
Gov. Kate Brown moves to close three Oregon prisons
Gov. Kate Brown is using her executive authority to close three Oregon prisons, a move her office said would save the state more than $44 million dollars. → Read More
Oregon state lawmakers delay gathering for 2021 legislative session, brace for armed protests
Oregon state lawmakers are preparing for the possibility of another armed protest at the Capitol in Salem and will delay gathering in-person on the first day of the 2021 legislative session. → Read More
Oregon US Rep. Kurt Schrader against impeaching Trump, reportedly likens it to ‘lynching
U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, considered the most moderate Democrat in Oregon’ congressional delegation, reportedly told his colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus on Friday that he was against impeaching President Donald Trump for inciting the mob that broke into the U.S. Capitol. Then Schrader likened the attempt to remove Trump to a “lynching,” according to reports from ABC News. → Read More
Gov. Kate Brown will ease COVID-19 related restrictions placed on schools, urges more to reopen in February
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is easing the statewide restrictions placed on school districts with the goal of seeing more students return to in-person instruction by February; the governor’s latest announcement comes despite a continued surge in the number of people being diagnosed with the coronavirus in the state. → Read More
Far-right protesters disrupt Oregon Legislature special session
Oregon State Police declared on unlawful assembly at the State Capitol Monday as a group of far-right protesters led by Patriot Prayer attempted to storm the building. → Read More