Author: DICK HUGHES, for the Oregon Capital Insider | Redmond Spokesman

Dick Hughes, who writes the weekly Capital Chatter column, has been covering the Oregon political scene since 1976. Contact him at
thehughesisms@gmail.com.

Opinion

Capital Chatter: Special session? We have questions.

Gov. Tina Kotek this week announced a special session on Aug. 29 for the Legislature to increase transportation ... Read more

Columns

Capital Chatter: Relationships key to securing funds in Salem

A city’s plea was heard. The 20,000-word House Bill 5006, which passed on the 2025 Oregon Legislature’s final ... Read more

Opinion

Capital Chatter: Learning from the failures of the 2025 session

Politicians love to recount their successes. But learning from one’s failures is more valuable. Long ago, former Senate ... Read more

Columns

Capital Chatter: Democracy is a messy business — even in Oregon

The 2025 Oregon Legislature exemplified the Founders’ warning. Democracy – even the representative democracy the Founders established – ... Read more

Marketplace