A View of the State of Working Oregon For the typical Oregonian, economic progress is a distant memory. More than
Raising Incomes
Realizing our human potential depends on having the resources to meet our material needs. Raising the incomes of the lowest-paid workers not only increases economic opportunity but also makes for a more prosperous state.
Raising Incomes
Realizing our human potential depends on having the resources to meet our material needs. Raising the incomes of the lowest-paid workers not only increases economic opportunity but also makes for a more prosperous state.
Latest Articles
How much income do families across Oregon need to meet basic necessities? A lot more than what the current minimum
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, a stirring call to end racial segregation, was also a
Preventing social problems before they arise is a smart thing to do. Certainly, taking steps that prevent child abuse and
Oregon workers who earn tips are, by and large, poorly paid adults. For example, the typical waiter or waitress in
Oregon’s minimum wage falls far short of giving working families economic security, so imagine the difficulties workers face when they
Complaints that Oregon employers have violated minimum wage law arise more frequently among workers of restaurants, bars, office cleaning companies
This report is also available as a PDF: A Pathway, Not a Cliff Higher Minimum Wage Increases Economic Security and
Raising Oregon’s minimum wage to $15 per hour could boost the bottom line of small businesses, a sector that has
Raising Oregon’s minimum wage to $15 per hour would give small businesses more of what they need most: customers with
Latest Podcasts
Underpaid, Overworked, and Essential: Oregon’s Long-Term Care Crisis
In this episode, we examine the crisis in Oregon’s system of long-term care. Demand for long-term care is rising as
January 8, 2026
Income Inequality in Oregon: What Does the Latest Data Show?
Income inequality in Oregon remains vast, but history shows this is not inevitable.
December 11, 2025
How Trump Is Hiding Hunger and Why Poverty Persists
This episode examines what the end of the federal food security report means for Oregon, as well as why poverty is a policy failure, not an individual failure.
November 13, 2025