This fall, Portlanders will decide whether to continue their experiment with voter-owned elections. The question becomes more relevant in the wake of Citzens United vs. Federal Elections Commission, a recent Supreme Court ruling that removed bans on corporate campaign spending. This week, Jo Ann and Dave talk with Common Cause Oregon's Janice Thompson about the upcoming referendum on voter-owned elections and what else needs to be done to fix our ailing electoral process. 

Host Lisa Loving speaks with guest Rev. Renee Ward about the Palm Sunday vigil for victims of police violence in Portland. On March 28th a procession of mourners will travel to 6 death sites and hold Palm Sunday observances commemorating these tragic incidents. Find out more Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. on Morning Talk Radio, KBOO.

Its been happening every decade since 1790. As mandated by the constitution, the U.S. Census Bureau determines the population of the nation, the results used to allocate congressional seats, electoral votes and government program funding. As census questionnaires start arriving in mailboxes this month, criticism of the census is heating up from all quarters. Right wing pundits characterize the census as part of the Obama administration's efforts to control citizens' lives. Republicans accuse organization like ACORN of distorting the results for political gain. Communities of color and other underrepresented populations worry that historic undercounting of their numbers will once again leave them without real political representation.

The appointment of Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler as state treasurer last Tuesday churned county and state political waters this week. Wheeler, appointed by Governor Kulongoski to fill the vacancy created by State Treasurer Ben Westlund's death, is now better positioned to advance up the ladder of statewide offices. At the county level, meanwhile, his departure has set off a scramble for his and County Commissioner Jeff Cogen's seat - Cogen throwing his hat in the ring to be the county's top executive. What will Wheeler's departure mean for residents of Oregon's most populous county? Jo Ann and Dave look at what's ahead for the candidates and county residents.