There are many statistics one can summon to show how the economy is failing working Oregonians. But few are more
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
If you’re wondering what a “Happy Meal” costs, by all means go to McDonald’s. But if what you want to
How much income do families across Oregon need to get by? The federal poverty guidelines, unfortunately, provide an unsatisfactory answer.
The omnibus tax credits bill sent to the floor by the House Committee on Revenue rightly puts working families first
Work is not a sure path out of poverty. The official poverty line, based on a formula developed in the
When the Great Recession struck, many Oregon families suddenly found themselves unable to put enough food on the table. And
The Statesman Journal published a nice re-cap of a public hearing in Hearing Room A of the State Capitol on
Members of the Main Street Alliance of Oregon -- tell the Legislature that the Earned Income Tax Credit is spent
Watch this short (3 min.) video in which small business owners from communities across Oregon — members of the Main
Six months ago I noted the great disconnect between Nike CEO and President Mark Parker’s compensation and that of the
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