Willamette Wake Up

Policy for the People explores Oregon’s record-breaking kicker, with Oregon Center for Public Policy's Daniel Hauser, which is sending massive tax rebates to the rich, while giving little or nothing to those struggling the most. Then, the importance of having a well-funded Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with Joe Hughes, Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, and the long-term erosion of the agency’s budget and recent efforts to turn things around.

Invisible People explores people who are homeless and the community's response to addressing homelessness.  In this episode we hear about the programs and services of Simonka Place - serving women and children - with Director of Ministries, Kathy Smith and Union Gospel Board Member, Jodi Hack.

Salem's Revenue Task Force has been meeting to develop recommendations to the City Council about ways to increase revenue to meet looming budget deficits.  Task force chair Sean Nikas and member Bill Smaldone give an update on the work done to date, some options under consideration  and how the general community can have a voice in the process.

Thoughts and Gifts is a nonprofit organization in Polk County, Oregon whose mission is to celebrate birthdays of under served youth, people with qualifying intellectual/developmental disabilities and senior citizens. Hear about how they do this and about an UnBirthday Party to raise funds to support their mission.

Keeping Oregon Oregon talks with Mary Kyle McCurdy, 1000 Friends of Oregon, who explains the “good, bad, and ugly” legislation affecting  land use planning after the 2024 Oregon legislative session. They discuss expansion of the urban growth boundary, wildfire resilience, transportation and funds that support agricultural programs.

Elephant in the Room explores forest health with Ben Deumling of Zena Forest Products, and how this wood products business is pivoting to address the challenges of a changing climate. Deumling serves on the Oregon Board of Forestry and explains policy initiatives to incentivize forest protections.

Oregon State Representative Tom Andersen (HD 19) reviews the work of the 2024 Legislative Session.  He highlights a bill that makes exceptions to the land use planning system to make way for affordable housing. Then he reviews his legislative priorities, including a bill to make the state pay the City of Salem for its use of the city's public safety services.

Meet Salem's new Deputy Chief Debbie Aguilar. Learn about her journey in law enforcement, what it’s like being a woman in a male dominated profession, how the SPD is recruiting more women, and what her new job entails. 

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month.  Kyle Tarr, Liberty House and Vanessa Nordyke, CASA of Marion County talk about child abuse, how their organizations help disrupt abuse and a car parade to bring awareness to the greater community.

Behind the Business shines a light on the heartbeat of our local economies – our local businesses. In this episode, Emily McNulty, owner of MaMere’s Guest House talks about the challenges and triumphs of owning a small business in Monmouth.