The middle class economy is quintessentially American. It’s a whole range of businesses that cropped up to serve the growing middle class after World War II. Think coffee and apple pie at your neighborhood diner. Or back-to- school shopping at Sears.

But companies that cater to the middle class are cratering under the weight of the affordability crisis.

On today's episode, why is the middle economy disappearing? And what does it mean for the businesses we love?

Do you have a story idea for us? We'd love to hear about it. Give us a call at (206) 221-7158 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at booming@kuow.org.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes.

Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.

Support the show: https://kuow.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s taken 10 years and almost $4 billion, but at long last, light rail will run across Lake Washington.

For people living near the new light rail, it’ll mean shorter commutes, and faster trips to the airport, sporting events, and public parks.

But its impact will extend beyond those conveniences for riders. Some say it could lead to an economic renaissance in the region, creating new jobs and housing opportunities. And there's precedent for making that claim.

Today, we find out what a bridge in Scandinavia can tell us about our own future -- and whether the Crosslake Connection could bring this region the economic boost it needs.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes.

Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.

Support the show: https://kuow.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington state just passed a tax on incomes above one million dollars a year. The so-called “millionaires tax” has critics warning we’re about to see an exodus of Washington’s wealthiest residents.

So we wanted to know whether “millionaire migration” is really a thing.

Today, what states that already have millionaire taxes can tell us about what to expect here in Washington.

GUEST:
Cristobal Young, Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Cornell University

Coming up: Are you house hunting as a first-time home buyer? We'd love to hear from you about how it's going. Give us a call at (206) 221-7158 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at booming@kuow.org.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes.

Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.

Support the show: https://kuow.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.