Yesterday, Democratic leaders in the Oregon House proposed a real plan to invest in our underfunded schools, grow Oregon’s economy, and protect low and middle income families. Naturally, big business and many Republicans are opposed — they appear to want to keep the unbalanced status quo, where we pay taxes and corporations don’t. For years,… Read more »
Advocates applaud the Oregon Education Investment Initiative
Today, Speaker Kotek and Chairs Nathanson and Barnhart released the first proposal in this legislative session that will make the investments in schools and families that Oregon needs. This is the budget and the leadership that Oregon families have been waiting for, and all across the state, Oregonians are applauding this powerful proposal. K-12 leaders… Read more »
The beginning of a better Oregon
Today, the Oregon legislature took the first step towards investing in Oregon families. The A Better Oregon coalition applauds Oregon’s legislative leaders for hearing the voices of parents, teachers, nurses, small businesses, care providers, and supporters, and making revenue a priority this session. For decades, Oregon families have paid the price of our dead-last corporate… Read more »
This May Day, we’re standing up for equality
For hundreds of thousands of Oregonians, May Day is a time to reflect on the disparities that exist for people of color throughout Oregon. This year, those disparities are easier to see than ever: As national threats loom on the horizon, Oregon faces an unprecedented budget crisis thanks to our dead-last corporate taxes. Lack of… Read more »
What’s at Stake: Babies First!
Oregon’s dead-last corporate taxes have left our state facing a long list of deep and devastating cuts this session. Oregonians, young and old, from Pendleton to Medford to Portland, will be hurt. You’ve probably heard about some of the most egregious cuts: 350,000 Oregonians will lose their health care, class sizes will grow again as… Read more »
With health care industry booming, hospitals must pay their fair share
The health care industry is booming in Oregon. Our state’s fast-growing and fast-aging population means a greater demand for medical care than ever before, and the Affordable Care Act has reduced bad debt and boosted providers’ profits. In 2014 alone, the number of uninsured Oregonians dropped by 100,000. It goes without saying that these changes… Read more »
Report: Low Wages Cost Taxpayers Billions
Today, SEIU 503 and the Oregon Nurses Association released an update to their 2014 report The High Cost of Low Wages, outlining the costs of public assistance to low wage workers and their families. Since 2014, the condition of low wage workers has grown even more dire: Taxpayer assistance has increased from $1.7 billion a… Read more »
Oregon’s future is at stake
This week, our fight for Oregon families got scary. The Legislature announced their budget — and the cuts are devastating. Oregonians of every age in every corner of the state will feel the effects of these cuts for years to come. It’s clear the future of Oregon is at stake. Here’s what we face: 350,000… Read more »
The Gaming and Decline of Oregon Corporate Taxes
Tell business to keep its promise to Oregon families
Time and time again, the business community has labeled any tax that would ask corporations to pay their fair share in taxes a “sales tax.” It’s a tired but hopelessly effective trick: It’s really easy to fearmonger over price increases, especially when compared to defending corporate greed. Every time someone proposes an corporate tax, corporate… Read more »