Was Oregon's economy in trouble even before the sub-prime meltdown? That's what new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau say. Despite record-breaking economic expansion before the current downturn, most Oregonians' incomes have remained flat since 2000. Poverty and lack of health insurance or other problems that did not improve during the boom. What did Oregon leaders fail to do? How well are Oregonians equipped to face an economy that continues to falter? What strategy should our legislature and governor consider to turn things around? Jo Ann and Dave  talk with Mike Leachman, policy analyst with the Oregon Center for Public Policy about these and other questions.

Prostitution is flourishing in the Rose City. Some Portlanders blame it on city hall's decision to let the prostitution exclusion zones lapse. They want the zones back and more efforts made to put prostitutes in jail. Other city residents say that rehabilitation, not more police, is the answer. In the meantime, Mayor Tom Potter has announed a new initiative to fight prostitution on 82nd Ave. through enhanced enforcement and prosecution combined with treatment options. How should we deal with prostitution in our city? Do we really understand the problem of prostitution?

An Interview with Campaign for America's Future's Bill Scher: The Bush administration says it needs $700 billion to avert the current financial crisis from turning into a global depression. Taxpayers see this as another use of their money to protect the wealthy. Congress is caught in the middle, trying to come up with a plan that will stop a financial meltdown without turning voters against. them.

What exactly does need to be done about the collapse on the Wall Street? Will the administration's plan help or hurt the situation? Jo Ann and Dave talk with Bill Scher of Campaign for America's Future, a non-profit organization advocating progressive solutions to the nation's problems.

Guest host Dave Mazza talks with former New York Times investigative journalist David Cay Johnston about his latest book, Free Lunch. Johnston's recent work explores the impacts of three decades of deregulation on the economy and how taxpayers are paying the cost for corporate socialism.