Source: The Oregon Prosperity Project
Oregon’s Defining Issue
A state that focuses on job creation helps Oregon families get ahead
This graph is so powerful. It’s what motivates us.
Fifteen years ago, the average income of Oregonians came close to the national average. Today, the average income level in Oregon has plummeted to 9% below the national average.
We believe this is the defining issue in our state.
We believe that quality of life in Oregon starts with having a good job. Bringing Oregon’s average income up to the national average would help Oregon families to get ahead and plan for their own economic future.
We believe that instead of raising taxes on anyone, we should find ways to improve the business climate here and make it easier for people to start and expand their own business. This will increase the number of people who are working, increase wages, and create more tax revenues for the state to fund services.
We believe that our state as a whole does not benefit from tax increases or job-stopping regulation on businesses. In order to accommodate these things, business are often forced to cut jobs or not hire new employees, ultimately raising our unemployment rate and lowering the tax revenue the state collects to fund important public services.
If we focused on policies that promote jobs and grow our incomes up to the national average, do you know how much more money would be in the pockets of every Oregonian?
