Oregon is a prosperous state in one of history’s richest nations, and yet many Oregonians struggle to meet their basic needs such as food and rent. Such insecurity affects Oregonians of all backgrounds. But due to our nation’s long history of racial oppression and exclusion, and present-day forms of discrimination, Black, Indigenous, and other Oregonians of color face greater economic challenges.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Today, we released a document outlining key policy reforms that, when enacted, will lead to a more equitable and prosperous state. The Action Plan for the People: How to build economic justice in Oregon is the culmination of a year’s worth of research and sustained conversations with dozens of community partners representing Black, Indigenous, and other Oregonians of color, rural Oregonians, workers, and many more Oregonians.
The Action Plan lays out specific policy recommendations in three broad areas: raising Oregonians’ incomes, boosting worker power, and advancing tax justice. Two key recommendations are reforming the “kicker,” Oregon’s highly inequitable tax rebate, and establishing a guaranteed income program, which addresses economic insecurity by providing cash with no strings attached to low-paid families.
We invite you to check out the Action Plan and to join us in making it a reality