Voices from the Edge 01-06-11 Lawmakers & Lawmen

Lawmakers and Lawmen: A conversation with State Senator Jackie Dingfelder about the upcoming legislative session and a look at Portland Police Chief Mike Reese's comments on police shootings

Oregon starts a new year with a new governor and legislature. It also starts with a record budget shortfall. How will state government balance essential services and fiscal demands? Are lawmakers and the new governor on the same page. This week, Jo Ann and Dave talk with Oregon State Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland; Dist. 23) about what may or may not be on the legislative horizon.

Also this week, Jo Ann and Dave take a look at Portland Police Chief Mike Reese's recent comment that the rash of police-involved shootings since December is "unacceptable." The comments come in the wake of Reese's scathing remarks characterizing police accountability advocates as whiners. Are the chief's comments a change of heart or political spin?

Jo Ann Bowman is a former state legislator, former executive director of Oregon Action, and a long-time leader in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Dave Mazza is a freelance journalist and former editor of The Portland Alliance who has covered and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years.
 
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Program Engineer: Steve Nassar
Audio Editor: Alicia Olsen