SALEM, Ore.–Oregon’s revenue forecast this morning showed historic revenues. State budget writers have nearly $2 billion in additional revenues to address Oregon’s toughest challenges and alleviate suffering statewide.
Heather Stuart, coalition director of Fair Shot for All, had the following comment:
“The historic revenues forecasted today show that when we invest in access to food, housing, and health care for our communities, and strengthen our workforce through fair wages, benefits, and protections, we create widespread economic opportunity for all Oregonians. Many of the one-time investments that were part of the pandemic response at the state and federal level—child tax credits, rental assistance, unemployment support, expanded SNAP benefits, health care services—not only helped people weather acute financial hardship, they stabilized the broader economy and laid the groundwork for today’s robust forecast.
“This means, without a doubt, we have an extraordinary opportunity to rise to meet the challenges of the day by investing in what families need to thrive in every community in the state–wildfire and drought relief, housing, a strong public workforce, K-12 education, child care, health care, and more.
“It is important to remember that while the overall economy is strong, Oregonians do not experience economic growth equally. Families across the state bear the brunt of rising inflation and many struggle to afford housing, groceries, child care, and utilities. In fact, recent census data shows that more than one out of four Oregon households is still lacking enough income to meet their basic needs. Among those facing economic hardship, significant racial and gender disparities persist across the state. Black households have the highest income inadequacy rate of all racial and ethnic groups in Oregon at 48%, followed closely by Latinx households at 41%. And we know that the combination of being a woman, a single mother, and a person of color leads to the largest income disparities.
“The historic revenues in today’s forecast show we have the means to improve the quality of life of Oregon families in every corner of the state. Fair Shot for All’s People’s Budget lays out a clear plan for legislators to continue to build a healthy economy that includes all of us. Strategic investments now create more resilient and financially stable communities, reduce demand for services in the future, and promote economic prosperity statewide.”
About Fair Shot for All
Since its launch in 2014, Fair Shot for All has been committed to taking on discrimination and inequality through policy, organizing, and action. The coalition’s work is centered on ideas and input from those who bear the burden of Oregon’s broken systems, especially those who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color; women; immigrants; and/or LGBTQ+.