Knope of the Week: Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian Political Reporter

Best Source for Oregon Politics. Knowledgeable and Engaging. #aMAPESzing.

Our second Knope of the Week for 2014 comes from a field (the media) that makes so many in local government nervous. This week’s winner Jeff Mapes is an Oregonian journalist, author of the Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities, and political commentator.

Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities is a non-fiction book that gives a brief history of the bicycle from its start in the early 1800s, when it could only be afforded by the wealthy, through to the present.

Background Check

Connect: Twitter and World Wide Web

Jeff Mapes has covered politics in Oregon since Ronald Reagan was running for re-election. He is a proud Westerner but confesses to enjoying a four-year stint as a Washington correspondent. He lives in Northeast Portland with his wife, Karen. They have two adult children.

What Did We Learn?

Jeff entertained the ELGL audience with tales of ballot initiatives, Trent Lott “jokes”, and the new gatekeepers. Below is a forum recap from our Twitter feed and #aMAPESzing.

Two issues to drive voter turnout in Nov 2014: same sex marriage and marijuana legalization.

WA state showed that ballot measures can drive higher turnout than candidates.

Measures related to labor union issues are also trending in 2014 political season

You’re not allowed to work in Oregon local government if you don’t know what measure 5 is.

2014 “short” legislative session will be a test run for some ballot measures because the Nov elections aren’t too far off.

Umatilla Electric Coop bill related to renewable energy portfolio will also be a legislative issue in 2014.

Last big leg issue relates to Oregon Liquor Commission & NW grocers interest in privatizing liquor like in WA @Costco measure.

The @CoverOregon website rollout was a “massive bellyflop.”

@GovKitz support from #oregonbusinessassociation is a key component of his popularity.

Demographic studies of Oregon show a large group of “evangelical conservatives. This can make for a “fertile ground” for #teaparty conservatives. He notes that Clackamas County is evidence of this effect.

@SpeakerBoehner has almost drummed the #teaparty out of the party…. Has asserted his control.”

Solid challengers have emerged for Sen. Merkley. Race could hinge on what people think about health care in a few months.

Newspaper industry has been “disrupted” by the internet. Have to do more with a shift to online.

Reporters spend time thinking about what attracts readers online. A shift in thinking. My deadline is when I have enough to post something online. A big change from the old way of news. Still has a chance at the @Oregonian to do in depth articles.

“There’s no such thing as a gatekeeper.” Multiple ways for a story to come out.

Trent Lott 2005 story was the turning point in the new way social media affects news cycles and reporting.

Politicians now must react and respond to “real” journalists and bloggers with cameras. Makes their jobs difficult.

@Oregonian reporters are now engaging with online comments. Part of the “business plan.

Sales tax is still a difficult sell to voters.

Word on the Street

Here’s what our audience took away from Jeff’s remarks.

Grady Wheeler, City of Milwaukie, Public Affairs Coordinator

Was interested by how the role of the journalist is evolving to be more interactive with the reader, and the ever-growing value of immediacy.

Scott McClain, Portland Public Schools

My takeaway is that the ballot initiative process has been a movement for many Oregonians to voice their concerns about the future of the state. Secondly, the Legislature seems to be the incubator for the leading political figures of the last 20 years or so. Jeff made a great set of remarks about how blogging and Internet voices are being taken seriously from the mainstream news organizations.

Lisa Shaw, City of Tigard, Police Business Manager

There are many potentially ‘emerging’ Oregon legislators:

The issues surrounding the upcoming gubernatorial race are varied, including who the Republicans will run in opposition to Gov. Kitzhaber
Oregon will likely see a variety of ballot measures this fall, including privatize of liquor sales, legalization of marijuana and legalization of gay marriage
Introducing a sales tax in Oregon might be more palatable if citizens generally understood that having several types of tax bases is generally more equitable than relying so heavily on just one (like property taxes). The mix of taxes helps to ensure that the
Reporting has undergone a ‘sea change’ and is continuing to evolve.Reporters are encouraged to interact with the public via online comment sections.
Reporting deadlines for stories are more driven by wanting to be the ‘first’ to post a story rather than meeting a physical printing deadline.
The pressure to post early has its pros (getting news out quickly) and cons (getting complete information out more slowly and or correcting early information)
New media has eliminated the information gatekeeper effect. A blogger with many followers can have an incredibly powerful impact, and cannot be ignored by ‘traditional’ media outlets.

Ben Kittelson, City of West Linn, Economic Development/Public Affairs

Jeff gave a great presentation, his discussion of the upcoming ballot measures and political races was knowledgeable and interesting. His take on the changing world of journalism was my favorite part, no longer do reporters have traditional deadlines they post stories as soon as they have enough information and they are instructed to engage directly with readers on social media, and even in the comment section of their own articles. Thanks for speaking to ELGL, Jeff!

Dan Englund, Portland State University MPA Student

The MPA graduate students from Portland State University that attended the ELGL lunch forum with Jeff Mapes came away quite impressed. It served as a valuable field experience by a trusted veteran in Oregon Politics. Big thanks to Mr. Mapes for his time. #aMAPESzing

Kent Wyatt, City of Tigard, Senior Management Analyst

For insight into Oregon politics there is only way place to go and that is Jeff Mapes. He’s a true professional of covering DC and Salem politics. His remarks on “gatekeepers” and the new newspaper deadlines was great insight into the new world of journalism.

Norma Alley, City of Newberg, City Recorder

Thank you, Jeff, for an excellent ELGL forum. It’s always great to hear about the hot issues to expect in the upcoming elections.