This week on the pod Virginia and Chris welcome two guests we've been waiting FOREVER to have on the pod. Speaker of the House Julie Fahey and Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ben Bowman, join us the first week of the Legislative Short Session to talk all things transportation, federal response to ICE in our communities, delivering results for working families, driving down the cost of living, federal tax code disconnect, economic development, saving Planned Parenthood, and designing a government that the people truly want and trust. AND SO MUCH MORE. This is a must listen!

And yes--we'll be having Representative David Gomberg on the pod soon to share all about his fight against the proposed ICE Facility in Newport.

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On this episode, Chris Hoy and Virginia get the opportunity to interview Representative Mark Gamba (District 41- Milwaukie) all about the environment, his experience in local government, and his ideas for the short session ahead. As one of the only renters serving in the legislature, Rep Gamba brings a lived experience to his work, always keeping working families top of mind.

Reach Rep Gamba Here

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Heads up: the transcript for the episode is auto generated. We know it’s spelling Keizer wrong and we’re very sorry!

This week, Virginia Stapleton and Chris Hoy welcome Keizer Mayor and longtime pod listener, Cathy Clark, to the pod to talk about all things in Oregon's second youngest city. We talk art, construction, business expansion, sidewalks, and why everything is blue. Enjoy!

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Happy New Year, Brats!

We have a very big year ahead! Listen to what we'll be up to in this episode. We hope you'll join us on for a fun and festive 2026! Comment your goals for 2026!!!!

RSVP for Jan 17 Woodburn Town Hall Here

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A warning: There are references to assault, self hard, and suicide in today's pod. Listener discretion is advised.

Our pod this week continues our series on Measure 11 and Restorative Justice. Our guests are Kyle Black from Restorative Justice Coalition of Oregon and Emma Ogden, a local advocate for prison reform. Emma and Kyle both served a considerable amount of time in our criminal justice system at Coffee Creek, Oregon's only women's institution. Their stories are real and we invite you to listen with an open mind.

Learn more about the ⁠Restorative Justice Coalition of Oregon

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Chris Hoy joins Virginia in this pod to give an update on all things Salem City Hall and Marion County. We have a brand new business boy band in town who say they want to better inform government about how their policies impact businesses, but it appears their first official act is making a donation of $2500 to Julie Hoy's re-election campaign. Our jaws stayed in place. But don't get too comfortable brats, cause we need to update you on the latest Oregon Government Ethics Commission investigation into Danielle Bethell's actions. We also discuss the boards and commissions appointments that happened at Salem City Council last week and the fallout (posturing) by the Salem Police and Fire Unions around this. PS....we heard that FOX "News" is about to pick up this story and politicize this further.

So what can you do? Get loud. Stay loud. Volunteer with campaigns, knock on doors, AND VOTE. Cause we are really over having Julie Hoy steering any aspect of the ship.

you can also, APPLY TO BE A PART OF A BOARD OR COMMISSION

Sources:

Learn all about Salem's newest Boy Band.

Update on the mayor's ethics investigation

Council split on boards and commissions

Danielle Bethell investigation update

____________________________________________

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Cuando la gente te dice cómo son, créeles a la primera.

Imagine coming face to face with ICE agents. Our guest this week did just that. Local influencer and advocate, Erika Villa joins us in the studio to give us the first hand story on the video that sent her viral online last month. Erika is a supporter of all things small business and an activist for the immigrant community here in the Willamette Valley. This episode is about her experience dealing with the new political environment we find ourselves in as ICE has taken over our streets and how you can get involved in advocating for our neighbors.

When People Tell You Who They Are, Believe Them The First Time.

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M & M Marketplace Toy Drive

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Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. In the words of Cher Horowitz, "And may I remind you, it does not say RSVP on the Statue of Liberty!" This week on the pod, Francisco Lopez from Citizenship in Oregon joins us to talk all about his work helping the next generation of Americans receive citizenship and register to vote! We also discuss the city council meetings as of late, the incredible work of LUS to advocate for the Hispanic and Latino communities, and the political capital that will be necessary to do the right thing. If the motion in front of the council does not do enough...do more. We know you will love Francisco as much as we do!

Learn more about Citizenship in Oregon

Happy Holidays y'all!

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Legislative Troubadour and Healthcare Policy Expert, Representative Rob Nosse, joins us this week to explain all things healthcare in Oregon and beyond. We discuss the impacts of Trumps Big Ugly Bill, the possibility of Oregon developing a Healthcare For All system, and so much more.

Learn more about Healthcare For All Oregon here.

Subscribe to Rob Nosse's very interesting weekly newsletter here.

For reference to Thin Blue Line Flags being removed from police spaces.

Happy Holidays y'all!

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*sorry the sound is so quiet at the beginning. It gets better*

Live from yet another weekend protest, we are calling on our community to give public comment at Salem City Council Monday Night at 6 PM. The Council will be entertaining a motion to reaffirm our status as a sanctuary city, but honestly, WE NEED MORE. Our community needs more. Here are our ideas:

1. Suspend FLOCK camera surveillance programs. Many cities in and around Salem have done this already.

2. Declare a State of Emergency. Follow Woodburn's lead and open up funding to support Latino owned small businesses impacted by the ICE raids and loss of revenue. Open up funding to support local nonprofits providing emergency aid to families who cannot leave their homes to get groceries, take their children to school, etc.

3. Suspend all impound fees on vehicles impounded due to an ICE raid.

4. Provide a list of resources for the community prominently displayed on the City of Salem website.

5. Reaffirming our status as a sanctuary city is the bare minimum.

Email your city councilors here

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