This special episode examines what is looking increasingly likely: a federal government shutdown. Unless Congress can pass a continuing budget resolution by September 30, the shutdown will begin on Sunday, October 1. What would a federal government shutdown mean for people in Oregon and across the nation? Who would be most affected? And what are […]
Federal government shutdown: Explained Read More »
Last week, the Census Bureau released much-anticipated poverty figures. Nationally, child poverty more than doubled — the largest increase in more than 50 years. But in Oregon, child poverty appeared flat over the same period. What gives? The seeming inconsistency is quickly explained by the use of different measures of poverty — an answer that,
You wouldn’t know it from Oregon figures, but child poverty just skyrocketed Read More »
Tax breaks — officially called “tax expenditures” — can either help heal the racial divide or worsen it. In other words, tax breaks are not race-neutral. This was made clear by a recent study released by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The study provides some of the first estimates of the racial impact of some of
Tax breaks are not race-neutral Read More »
All of the strike activity we’re seeing right now is a hopeful sign for those who want to see an economy that works for everyone. In this episode, we speak with Margaret Poydock and Jennifer Sherer of the Economic Policy Institute, co-authors of the recent report What to know about this summer’s strike activity. We discuss what’s
(Podcast) On strike! Hope and challenges for the labor movement Read More »
For most of us, Labor Day is a day of well-earned leisure, a time to celebrate the contributions of workers. But not everyone gets to rest on this day. Because the holiday arrives during the harvest season, many Oregon workers will be toiling in the fields to keep food flowing to our tables. The sacrifice
All workers deserve the right to organize Read More »
Oregon can improve the economic well-being of its people by ensuring that all workers enjoy the right to form a union. In 1935, the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) established the right of private-sector workers to organize. But this pivotal federal law leaves out certain kinds of workers: independent contractors, farmworkers, and domestic workers. The
Oregon Should Ensure All Workers Have the Right to Organize Read More »
Hardly a month goes by without news of billionaires lavishing gifts or favors on members of the U.S. Supreme Court. The latest revelation once again involved Justice Clarence Thomas, who reportedly has been traveling in private jets and luxury yachts to exotic destinations, paid for by a group of ultrawealthy benefactors. The fact that corruption grips the highest court
It’s time to stand up to the oligarchy Read More »
In our final post on the 2023 Oregon legislative session, we recap the policy mistakes made by lawmakers. In case you missed it, earlier we discussed the wins of the session and the missed opportunities. Lawmakers whittle away at the estate tax, to the benefit of the wealthiest families As part of the negotiations to end the longest walkout
Mistakes of the 2023 Oregon legislative session Read More »
Money is power. And the extreme concentration of wealth that we’re seeing means that more and more political power is in the hands of billionaires, who use that power to further increase their wealth, according to today’s guest, Bob Lord. Bob is the Senior Advisor on Tax Policy for Patriotic Millionaires, as well as an
Tax extreme wealth to save our democracy Read More »
On July 1, workers in one region of Oregon achieved what once seemed an inspired goal. The minimum wage in the Portland metro area — not in the rest of the state — crossed the $15 an hour level, reaching $15.45.
Progress, but not enough: A look back at Oregon’s recent minimum wage history Read More »