Trillbilly Worker's Party Episode 410: The Family Agenda (w/ special guests Olivia Katbi and Mitch Green)
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Sep 18, 2025 This week’s guests are Mitch Green, a Portland City Councilor known for championing social housing, and Olivia Katbi, co-chair of Portland DSA and a leader in local electoral strategies. They dive into the challenges Portland faces with housing and community support. Mitch discusses overcoming misconceptions about millionaire flight while celebrating the success of the 'Preschool for All' ballot measure. Olivia emphasizes their 'family agenda' which includes universal childcare and community programs, showcasing how politics and grassroots organizing intersect for lasting change.
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Portland’s Economic Shift Squeezes Families
- Portland transformed from affordable working-class city to high-cost tech and apparel hub, squeezing families out.
- Mitch argues the city must become the best place to raise a family by reversing that displacement.
Tax Flight Claims Don’t Match The Data
- Claims that rich people flee when taxed are empirically false according to Mitch's office and economists they consult.
- He stresses millionaires are entrenched socially and rarely move over marginal tax changes.
Winning Universal Preschool Then Facing Pushback
- Portland DSA passed a 2020 ballot measure for free preschool for all three- and four-year-olds funded by a wealth tax.
- Olivia describes backlash from wealthy residents and state leaders claiming the rich would flee and the program would fail.