The Bridge by OR360

Behind 2022’s eye-popping fundraising numbers | EP 74

This week, Ben and Reagan outline the fundraising and cash-on-hand totals for key races in Oregon (including the race for Governor, BOLI, and the battle to control the legislature). We also discuss how listeners should think about the numbers, and some caveats to be aware before taking too much stock in money. 

”Red Wave”? Alex and Reagan discuss what the election could look like for republicans this year | EP 73

With Ben being on administrative leave this week, The Oregon Bridge's newest co-host Reagan Knopp is sitting down with "host emeritus" Alex Titus to discuss what the political landscape looks like for Republican candidates leading up to the 2022 election, just a few months away.    In this special "Red Wave" episode Alex and Reagan go over the status of races both on the state and national levels, polling credibility, as well as some of the key talking points candidates on both sides of the isle are likely to be running on this year.     

Christina Stephenson is a candidate for Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, in a runoff with former Rep. Cheri Helt | EP 72

Stephenson, who nearly won the election outright in the primary election, is a civil rights attorney and small business owner. She ran for the state legislature in 2020, narrowly coming up short. In this episode, we talk about workforce development, higher education, the famous LTBTQ+ rights case involving “Sweet Cakes”, and the politics of running statewide for a nonpartisan office.  You can check out Christina's campaign here: https://www.christinastephenson.com/ As well as our interview with Cheri Helt here: https://youtu.be/t3f7KzkS70g  

Ian Mair explains everything politicos need to know about crypto and blockchain tech EP | 71

If you've ever wondered why cryptocurrency matters, or why you should care about it, this episode is for you. We talk about the origins of crypto, the practical uses for blockchain technology, what crypto can be used for, environmental concerns about bitcoin mining, "crypto candidates" (including prominent Oregon candidates), and the future of crypto policy and regulation in U.S. politics (with some insight into how both the Democratic Party and Republican Party talk about the issue).    Ian Mair is the Head of U.S. Policy for Blockchain.com. Previously, worked as Vice President at The Smith-Free Group, a lobbying firm, where he advised fintech and crypto clients on legislative and regulatory matters--and advocated on their behalf with decision makers.    As a reminder, nothing in this episode should be considered financial advice!    Links referenced in the interview: The Wired story Ian referenced: Inside the Bitcoin Bust That Took Down the Web’s Biggest Child Abuse Site The Texas Blockchain Council CoinCenter.org, which describes itself as "the leading non-profit focused on the policy issues facing cryptocurrencies"

Prof. Michelle Wilde Anderson on challenges, opportunities, lessons, and misconceptions in Josephine County--and why it matters for Oregon and America | EP 70

Michelle Wilde Anderson is an award-winning Professor at Stanford Law School and an expert on poverty, inequality, and local government. Her new book The Fight to Save the Town (published by Simon and Schuster in June 2022) prominently features Josephine County as she describes signs of progress in places in America with high poverty and broke governments (the book also looks at Stockton, CA, Lawrence, MA, and Detroit, MI).   In this episode, Michelle provides a portrait of Josephine County and the people who live there--and what makes the place so interesting. We talk about the origin of poverty in southern Oregon, the caliber of people running for local office, and how communities provide "public safety" when the government fails to. Perhaps most importantly for our listeners, we talk about the lessons we can learn from Josephine County, a deeply conservative place with anti-government tendencies, where they finally passed a series of local levies after years of failed attempts. Michelle offers a more hopeful "counter-narrative" to what's happening in Josephine County than what you'll read in most papers.    Here is a short blurb on The Fight to Save the Town: The book "focuses on the dismantling and rebuilding of local government in high-poverty communities. Rooted in narrative portraits of urban and rural poverty, the book describes the fallout from decades of cuts to local government amidst rising segregation by income and race." We can't recommend the book enough -- it is engaging, sobering, and uplifting all at once.   Michelle's Recommendations on Organizations to Support: Riverstar Performing Arts The Four Way Community Foundation Illinois Valley Community Development Organization

”Emergency Pod” on the story behind a surprising gubernatorial endorsement! | EP 69

Last week, OR360 broke the news that former Rep. Mike Nearman, who was expelled from the legislature and pled guilty to official misconduct, endorsed Betsy Johnson for governor. Later, The Oregonian picked up the story and included a quote from Johnson rejecting the endorsement.    In this unscheduled "emergency pod", we share the story of how it all happened -- and give an update on the state of the three-person governor's race.    Here's a link to The Liftoff where we broke the news about Nearman's endorsement.   Here's a link to The Oregonian story on Johnson rejecting the endorsement.

The Oregon Bridge is excited to welcome a brand new co-host! | EP 68

The Oregon Bridge is excited to announce a new co-host of the podcast. It's a familiar face and a longtime friend of the pod. Listen in to find out whether it's Ben or Alex who is getting fired, and to hear about what the future of the podcast will look (and sound) like.   Thanks for all your continued support. Here's to another year of interesting conversations and a better Oregon. 

Can Michael Sipe keep a competitive legislative seat red? | EP 67

Michael Sipe is the Republican nominee for a new state house seat in central Oregon (House District 53), considered one of the most competitive in the state. He is running against Democratic nominee Emerson Levy, who we interviewed previously.   Take one look at Michael's website and you'll see he's an unusual candidate: a Cold War Army Ranger, black belt martial artist, podcast host, owner of a private equity advisory firm, and organizer of one of the largest Christian men's gatherings in Oregon (with Mike Huckabee as the special guest).    In this episode, we talk about the major challenges facing Oregon (and central Oregon in particular): sky-high housing prices, water issues, and addiction. We also have a conversation about gun violence in which Michael, Alex, and Ben all disagree with each other on solutions--but also find some common ground.    You can check out Michael's website (including his own podcast) at www.avoiceforcentraloregon.com.   Also mentioned in this episode:    Article: Race to the bottom: How Central Oregon groundwater sells to the highest bidders from OPB   Ben's book recommendation: Stronghold: One Man's Quest to Save the World's Wild Salmon by Tucker Malarkey