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Good morning, Northwest.

Back in 2011, the Oregon House of Representatives was split evenly between 30 Republicans and 30 Democrats. The chamber even had co-speakers of the House and co-chairs on every committee.

No bills would get through without bipartisan compromise. Lawmakers who served then mark it as an important time in Oregon history — and one that appears to be long gone.

OPB’s Lauren Dake leads of this morning with an analysis of the current transportation funding debate and how it signals a major shift in Oregon politics.

Also this morning, we have updates on the resignations of Tigard’s mayor and Bend’s equity director.

Here’s your First Look at Friday’s news.

—Bradley W. Parks

In Oregon, crossing your party comes at a cost

A Democrat in the Oregon Legislature recently voted against her party’s transportation package. She was bullied as a result, she said, and decided not to seek reelection.

A Republican voted in favor of the transportation tax package. He was labeled a “criminal” and a “traitor,” he said, and switched political parties.

In this era of hyper-partisanship, the fate of Reps. Annessa Hartman and Cyrus Javadi reflect the broader trend of a growing political divide permeating the country.

The state has prided itself on being far away enough from Washington, D.C., that it could hold on to what’s been dubbed the “Oregon Way” of governing, in which the two political parties manage to prioritize finding common ground despite policy differences.

Some fear that concept — and the idea of moderate lawmakers — is becoming increasingly obsolete. (Lauren Dake)

Learn more

3 things to know this morning

• The governors in Oregon, Washington, California and Hawaii have formed an alliance to counter the CDC. Dr. Dean Sidelinger talked to OPB about the states’ new COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and what Oregonians should know. (Michelle Wiley)

• One of Portland’s primary tools for reducing traffic deaths is speed and red-light cameras, but they’ve been offline since July. (Alex Zielinski)

• A recent investigation of workplace complaints against former Tigard Mayor Heidi Lueb is just the tip of the toxic iceberg, according to multiple former city employees and records obtained by OPB. (Holly Bartholomew)

Who needs shots? Vaccines drive a wedge between Oregon and the feds

West Coast states like Oregon have created their own COVID-19 vaccine guidelines. What could this mean for Oregon’s role in health care? We discussed all that and more on this week’s episode of “OPB Politics Now.” (Bryce Dole, Amelia Templeton and Andrew Theen)

Headlines from around the Northwest

• Chipmakers with deep ties to Oregon team up, as Intel and Nvidia reach deal to develop custom technology (Kyra Buckley)

• Bend’s equity director tenders resignation after two years (Kathryn Styer Martínez)

• Salem-Keizer begins rollout of weapons detectors across middle schools (Natalie Pate)

• University of Oregon trustees approve new budget despite union pushback (Nathan Wilk)

• Washington will replace Planned Parenthood’s lost Medicaid funding with state dollars (Jake Goldstein-Street and Jerry Cornfield)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

• Pioneering Northwest punk band Team Dresch touring for 30th anniversary 

• Federal cuts hit program for deafblind students in Oregon

🧀 🐓 Superabundant recipe: One-pan chicken parm

Whether you had a bumper crop of tomatoes in your garden this year or consoled yourself by buying a couple of flats at the farmers market, your countertops are covered in nightshades.

But fear not.

With help from the “Joy of Cooking,” you can transform those tomatoes into a delicious red sauce, and the best way to do that is to roast them. Then make yourself some chicken parmesan to go with them.

Enjoy and save the rest for future molto squisito dishes. (Heather Arndt Anderson)

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/19/oregon-politics-centrist-moderate-first-look/