Oregon Discussion

Oregon ranks near the bottom for law enforcement, yet crime is soaring and cartels are thriving. In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E., Rep. Jeff Helfrich, Rep. Alex Skarlatos, and Sen. Kim Thatcher discuss the consequences of Oregon’s soft-on-crime policies, sanctuary laws, and failures in public safety investment. Topics include: Oregon’s police shortage and cartel surge Illegal marijuana operation...

In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E., Senators Daniel Bonham, Mike McLane, and Rep. Werner Reschke break down the May 2025 economic forecast and expose the game being played in Salem. Despite record tax revenue and a doubling of the general fund over the last decade, Oregon’s majority party claims budget “shortfalls” and blames Trump tariffs. But the data — and the truth — tell a different story. Th...

This Oregon D.O.G.E. episode is a behind-the-scenes exposé on how laws are made — and twisted — in Salem. Senators Daniel Bonham, David Brock Smith, and Mike McLane reveal how placeholder bills, gut-and-stuff amendments, and quiet conflicts of interest dominate the state Capitol. From billions in untracked spending to sanctuary state fallout and legislative hypocrisy, this episode explains why Ore...

In this hard-hitting episode, Senator Todd Nash and Rep. Jeff Helfrich join host Senator Mike McLane to challenge the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s policies, budget, and growing disconnect from rural Oregon. From personal wolf attacks on cattle to ballooning DEI spending, this episode exposes what happens when bureaucrats manage wildlife from Portland and ranchers are left paying the pr...

Oregon spends billions on housing — yet it’s ranked #1 in family homelessness and 45th in affordability. In this episode, Sen. Bruce Starr, Sen. Dick Anderson, and Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson expose the state policies making housing worse, not better. From rigid land-use laws and red tape to costly prevailing wage mandates, they break down why Oregon can’t build — and what reforms are needed to get...

Dorchester Day 2 captures the heart of Oregon’s conservative resurgence. From school board moms to Turning Point campus warriors, Sen. Daniel Bonham and Sen. Mike McLane sit down with everyday Oregonians leading the fight to reclaim their communities. This episode features stories of courage, organizing, and rising stars who are changing Oregon one voice, one vote, and one local campaign at a time...

In this special episode, the Oregon D.O.G.E. podcast heads to the legendary Dorchester Conference in Welch’s, Oregon. Host Sen. Mike McLane and guests from every corner of Oregon’s conservative movement dive into what’s working, what’s broken, and what comes next. From state senators and GOP national committee members to grassroots organizers and pro-life leaders, this episode captures the energy,...

Senator Daniel Bonham sits down with Representative Anna Scharf and Senator Diane Linthicum to explore the growing crisis in Oregon agriculture. From labor laws and regulatory overreach to shrinking farmland and struggling farmers, this episode digs deep into the policies that are reshaping (and arguably dismantling) the state’s farming industry. If you care about local food, family farms, or econ...

Oregon’s Department of Human Services (DHS) now commands over $22 billion every two years. But with that size comes dysfunction. In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E. , host Senator Daniel Bonham is joined by Senator Diane Linthicum, Rep. Ed Diehl, and analyst Alex Lopez to examine whether DHS is still serving Oregonians—or just expanding itself. 🎯 Topics covered: 14.2% budget increase while rural O...

Is Oregon’s youth justice system protecting anyone? In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E. , Sen. Mike McLane, Rep. Jeff Helfrich, and Mack Smith examine the collapse of the Oregon Youth Authority. With 3,000+ ignored abuse complaints, DEI-influenced hiring gone wrong, and a $51 million lawsuit pending, the system meant to protect vulnerable kids is now under fire from all sides. Topics covered: How D...

In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E. , host Sen. Daniel Bonham sits down with fellow Republican lawmakers from across the state for a candid conversation about their lives, values, and legislative goals. Guests include: Sen. Diane Linthicum Sen. Todd Nash Sen. Noah Robinson Sen. David Brock Smith Sen. Mike McLane Sen. Bruce Starr Topics covered: Why these senators stepped into public service The emo...

In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E. , lawmakers dig into one of Oregon’s most powerful and controversial agencies: the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) . Senator Daniel Bonham, Rep. Greg Smith, and Senator David Brock Smith walk through: DEQ’s $800M+ budget , with 42% based on regulatory fees 8,200+ pages of rules , many created without legislative approval A federal DEI lawsuit that could...

Is Oregon’s healthcare system helping people, or just burning cash? In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E. , we dive into the Oregon Health Authority’s surging $39B budget, bureaucratic bloat, and scandals involving misused mental health grants, stalled patient care, and lawsuits from counties. Topics include: A $1B program for undocumented care OHA’s 256-person, $55M Equity Division Patients are bein...

In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E., Senators Daniel Bonham and Mike McLane tackle the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), one of Oregon’s most powerful and expensive state agencies. With ballooning budgets, case backlogs, and rising controversy, lawmakers ask: Is BOLI serving Oregonians or just expanding? We also dive into the political and financial implications of prevailing wage laws, nonpro...

Oregon passed bold legislation to ensure hospitals provide financial assistance to low-income patients. But is it working? In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E. , Senator Mike McLane and Representative Jeff Helfrich talk with Dollar For founder Jared Walker and actor/director Joel David Moore about Oregon’s charity care laws, the impact of hospital bureaucracy, and the role nonprofits play in holding...

Oregon’s roads are failing—but the Department of Transportation says they need more money. In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E. , Senators Daniel Bonham and Bruce Starr and Representative Shelly Boshart Davis expose the truth behind ODOT’s $6 billion budget, the $1.1 billion “forecasting error” that went unnoticed for months, and how mission creep and wasteful priorities are breaking the system. We...

In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E. , Senators Daniel Bonham, Mike McLane, and David Brock Smith break down Oregon’s staggering $140 billion budget. With Health and Human Services taking up 45% of state spending , and new fees and taxes expanding under agency rulemaking, the episode asks: Is this sustainable? They also rank Oregon’s performance in education, affordability, and federal dependency, a...

Oregon’s tax burden isn’t just about income tax. In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E., Senators Daniel Bonham and Mike McLane join Representative Greg Smith for a candid, eye-opening discussion on the hidden taxes and fees driving up the cost of living in Oregon. From property and estate taxes to the controversial corporate activity tax , paddleboard fees, and the threat to Oregon’s Kicker refund ,...

In Episode 2 of Oregon D.O.G.E., Senator Mike McLane, Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham, and House Republican Leader Christine Drazan expose the unchecked power of Oregon’s administrative state. With over 40,000 rules now outpacing the number of state laws, unelected agencies are creating costly regulations that impact Oregonians without direct legislative oversight. From hidden fees and taxe...

In the debut episode of Oregon D.O.G.E. , host Senator Mike McLane sits down with Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham and House Republican Leader Christine Drazan to break down Oregon’s budget crisis. With a $36 trillion national debt and Oregon’s heavy reliance on federal funding, what happens when that money starts to dry up? This episode covers wasteful spending, increasing taxes, and the gr...