On January 26, Oregonians will be asked to decide how the latest chapter in the state's long-running tax wars will turn out. Opponents of two tax increases approved by the legislature in 2009 succeeded in collecting enough signatures for a referendum on what are now Measures 66 and 67. The former would raise the state income tax rate on those earning more than $125,000 per year while the latter would increase the minimum corporate tax. Supporters of the measures say vital public services are at stake.

A look back at the best and the worst of the year and decade.

A 12-year-old girl shot by police with a beanbag, failed attempt to recall the mayor, new community journalism, solving Portland's gang problem, race and recession...these are just some of the issues Voices from the Edge covered during 2009. This week well be taking a look back the lows and highs in the Rose City the last 12 months as well as memorable moments earlier in the decade: remember Police Chief Mark Kroeker, Mayor Katz's River Renaissance, or Columbia Villa?

Are we any closer to real health care reform?

The U.S. Senate has set an 8 am vote on its health care reform bill. Senate Majority Harry Reid has secured his 60 votes, but at what cost to health care reform?

For the last three years a ban on squatting has been in preparation in Dutch politics. A new act that is to ban squatting in the Netherlands passed through parliament on October 15th. Despite strong critique from the High Court, the union of city councils and even the Amsterdam police force, the christian/rightwing majority in The Hague is pushing this law through. Currently the senate still has to vote on the new act, but given the same majority of parties that voted in favor in parliament also exists in the senate, odds are by January 1st 2010 all squats in the Netherlands will be up for eviction.