[This commentary was first published in The Statesman Journal.] In the most recent tally, more than 1,000 students in Salem-Keizer Public Schools were homeless — an indication of the devastating toll the housing crisis is taking on families locally and across the state. Although there is no silver bullet to the housing crisis, there is one […]
Rent assistance could quickly ease Oregon’s housing crisis Read More »
Tax policy has aided and abetted the rise of massive economic inequality in the U.S., a point highlighted in a recent article in the New York Times. The paper reported that last year the nation’s 400 wealthiest people paid a lower tax rate (federal, state and local tax rates combined) than any other income group — a drastic reversal of the situation several decades ago.
Wyden’s plan would be a breakthrough for tax fairness Read More »
If two people earn the same amount, they should pay the same tax rate. That’s a bedrock principle of tax fairness. Oregon had long lived by this rule, until one shameful day six years ago today.
A day of tax infamy Read More »
Establishing a rent assistance program would be an effective strategy for addressing Oregon’s housing affordability crisis.
Rent Assistance Works Read More »
Oregon could solve some of the worst aspects of the state’s housing affordability crisis by investing in a rent assistance program, according to a new report by the Oregon Center for Public Policy.
A state rent assistance program would ease Oregon’s housing crisis, report says Read More »
Oregon’s statewide housing crisis demands a powerful, rapid response. A rent assistance program is a quick and proven way to stabilize families straining under the weight of housing costs.
A State Rent Assistance Program Would Strengthen Oregon Communities Read More »
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer recently issued a report outlining an ambitious plan to tackle the housing crisis in America. While federal action on many of the areas highlighted in the report would be a step in the right direction, the current political landscape makes it hard to see Congress acting with any sense of urgency. Clearly, Oregon cannot let up in responding to a housing crisis that is undermining the ability of Oregonians to make ends meet, let alone get ahead.
A solution to a key aspect of the housing crisis Read More »
Progress has stalled. That’s the main takeaway from the latest data on health insurance coverage in Oregon, released yesterday by the U.S. Census.
Oregon stalls, the nation falls. The latest on health insurance coverage. Read More »
Although Oregon’s unemployment rate is lower than it has been in decades, not every aspect of the state’s labor market looks rosy. A new report by the Oregon Center for Public Policy points out that more than one-third of counties in the state have yet to make up the job losses from the Great Recession and that the wages of the typical Oregonian have barely budged.
Not all is well underneath Oregon’s record low unemployment Read More »
Although Oregon’s labor market is stronger than it has been in decades, the recovery since the end of the Great Recession has bypassed parts of Oregon and done little to lift the wages of the typical worker.
Oregon’s Labor Market Recovers Unevenly Read More »