Oregon, like the nation as a whole, has witnessed multiple years of economic growth and declining unemployment. While that would seem like a recipe for improved conditions across the board, that’s not what we’re seeing.
Unlike most other states, Oregon has made little progress in recent years in reducing food insecurity, despite a strengthening economy and rising employment.
The long-term decline in union representation in Oregon has contributed to the rise in income inequality, which now stands near record highs. Greater levels of union representation would help narrow income inequality.
Today is Equal Pay Day, a day that brings attention to the fact that women still earn less than men. Here are three facts about the gender pay gap in Oregon.
For many families with children, child care is the most expensive item in the family budget, no matter where they live in Oregon.
Every child in Oregon deserves a fair shot in life, no matter the heft of a parent’s paycheck.
You didn’t get paid overtime. Your boss forced you to work off the clock before or after your shift. Your boss disappeared without paying you. In other words, you got stiffed by your boss.
Among all industries in Oregon, the construction industry is one of the most fraught with wage theft. Many construction workers are being robbed of the wages they have earned, making it harder for them to support their families. HB 4154-2 would help clamp down on wage theft in the construction industry. The Oregon Center for Public Policy urges a “yes” vote on this bill.
In Oregon, we talk about how important it is for our children to have a high quality education — important not just for the kids, but also for our communities and state economy.
Today, low-income working families achieved a significant victory with the Oregon Senate’s approval of Senate Bill 398-B in a bipartisan vote of 23 in favor and seven against.
© Oregon Center for Public Policy 2023
