Update: September 22, 2011

Recession Continues to Hammer Oregonians, Particularly Children and Minorities

Even though by one important measure Oregon's economy improved a bit last year, poverty and extreme poverty in the state worsened and the earnings of the typical household continued to shrink, newly-released government data showed.

In 2010, 15.8 percent of Oregonians lived in poverty, significantly higher than the 14.3 percent rate in 2009 and 12.9 percent in 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) released today. Oregon's 2010 poverty rate was higher than the national average.

According to the survey, last year 596,408 Oregonians lived in poverty -- an increase of more than 120,000 from 2007, the year before the recession began.

Read more: Recession Continues to Hammer Oregonians, Particularly Children and Minorities.

Oregon's Progress on Child Health Coverage Offers Hope

Amid the slew of bleak statistics contained in today's U.S. Census data, one item shined brightly: a large drop in the share of Oregon children without health insurance.

The rate of uninsured Oregon children dropped from 10.4 percent in 2009 to 8.8 percent in 2010. Going back to 2008, when the rate stood at 12.1 percent, the decline is even more pronounced.

Read more: Oregon's Progress on Child Health Coverage Offers Hope.

Fall Internship Opportunity

OCPP is now accepting applications for a policy analysis intern for fall of 2011. This position is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. See the job description and information on how to apply (PDF).

Portland, September 27: Worry Free Advocacy Workshop

Sign up for Understanding the Rules of Nonprofit Advocacy & Election-Related Activities, a one-day workshop in Portland intended for nonprofit managers, board members, staff and volunteers.