Videos

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, what kind of country do we want to become?

In this episode of Policy for the People, we speak with Taifa Butler, President of Demos, about the challenges facing American democracy and the need for a "Third Reconstruction."

We explore the connection between economic power and political power, the role of worker power in a healthy democracy, the enduring impact of racism and the racial wealth divide, and why America's democratic institutions are at a critical crossroads. Butler argues that the nation must move beyond incremental reforms and embrace a more expansive vision of citizenship, democracy, and shared prosperity.

At a time when democracy faces mounting challenges, this conversation offers both a clear-eyed assessment of the present and a hopeful vision for the future.

#Democracy #EconomicJustice #Reconstruction #PolicyForThePeople #TaifaButler #Demos #EconomicInequality #WorkerPower #CivilRights #MultiracialDemocracy #America250 #Politics #PublicPolicy #OregonCenterforPublicPolicy

Matt Newell-Ching, Public Policy Manager at Oregon Food Bank, warns us about the hunger crisis brewing in Oregon. The cuts to SNAP so far have kicked off 70,000 Oregonians (updated figure in June 2026), leaving them at heightened risk of hunger.

As the cost of food and other basic needs soars, the Trump administration has delivered a one-two punch to the nation’s food security safety net.

First, it cut a program that was sending literally tons of food to food pantries in Oregon and across the nation. Now, the shelves at those food pantries are getting bare, due to increased demand. Second, H.R. 1 – the massive tax and budget bill enacted last year – made big cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s first line of defense against hunger.
#orpol #orleg #snap #oregon

“The number one metropolitan area over the last five years has been Portland, the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area,” according to a recent study by the Economic Innovation Group on new businesses moving to an area.

The big business lobby constantly complains that Oregon’s “business climate” is terrible, but what does the data actually show?

In this episode of Policy for the People, we dig into one of the most common myths about Oregon’s economy: that the state has a bad business climate. Guest economist Joe Cortright explains.

Listen here: https://bit.ly/4tbc4in

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