This week on Voices from the Edge, Jo Ann and Dave looked at the good and bad news of the week. Topics discussed included: federal funds being made available to Oregon to address budget shortfalls and whether those dollars will reach the people who really are in need; the impact of the new president of the Portland Police Association; shortcomings and risks with new assistance being offered to homeowners facing foreclosure; and missed economic development opportunities in emerging technologies.

About the program…

Oregon House District 43 is one of the most diverse in the state.  It also faces some of the biggest challenges:  high unemployment, high rates of police misconduct, high displacement from gentrification.

This week Dave and Jo Ann talked with State Rep. Lew Frederick about what role the state can play in addressing some of these problems. 

Today's show, hosted by Tom Becker, featured three interviews on green economics, transnational identies in the United States, and the political import of late '70s British music. Related to that last theme, you will hear through out the show music selected by Denise Morris from The Clash "Guns of Brixton", XTC "Respectable Street" and Selector "Too Much Pressure". For specific segments click the links below, and for the whole show click the play button just under them.

Laurie Mercier talks with Luz María Gordillo about her new book, "Mexican Women and the Other Side of Immigration: Engendering Transnational Ties." Luz Maria looked at migratory patterns between western Mexico and Detroit, and how men and women differently participate in it. She also comments on racism in immigration policy and the problem of equivocating undocumented workers with drug-dealers.

Luz Maria Gordillo is an assistant professor of Women Studies and on the graduate faculty for American Studies at Washington State University.

This week on Voices from the Edge, Jo Ann and Dave ask the question "Are the good guys ahead?" Local progressive may be feeling a bit down over the direction of local and state politics lately. City Hall seems more disconnected than ever from the world in which most Portlanders live. Earlier this week, city council voted 4-1 (Commissioner Fritz abstaining) to put a new bond measure before voters for a new communications system and other equipment for the Fire Bureau. With so many city services taking hits - and at least on other proposed bond measure being put on hold because of the economy - should there have been a community discussion about whether this measure could wait? Oregon's gubernatorial race - "Doc vs.

Portland City Council voted 3-2 this morning to let police unit commanders have a vote in certain cases before the new police review board.  Does this make the new board "structurally flawed" or does it increase accountability as commissioners supporting the change claim? Voices from the Edge Hosts Dave Mazza and Jo Ann talk about this new development.