At the peak of Oregon’s economic expansion rural Oregonians were more than twice as likely to live in homes with
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
Oregon's Poverty Rate Flat; Number of Poor Grows; Median Income Unchanged
Increasing the minimum wage will not reduce access to food stamps
If the polling is accurate, on November 5th Oregonians will vote by a sizeable majority to increase the minimum wage
News Release During the first year of the economic downturn, at least one in seven Oregon adults lived in households
News Release The number of poor Oregonians increased by 43,873 over the 1990s, despite strong economic growth, according to 2000
This year, Congress is reauthorizing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, commonly known as welfare. The Bush Administration
New report finds temporary cash assistance is meeting less of the need as Congress debates welfare reform reauthorization
Welfare’s Decreasing Role in Meeting the Needs of Families With Dependent Children During Recessions
Latest Podcasts
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
How big corporations hide their profits — and how to stop it
Listen to prior episodes of the show Follow Policy for the People on your favorite podcast app Transcript
October 9, 2025