Oregon Center for Public Policy

The Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP) is an American economic research organization that conducts research on budget, tax, and economics issues. The organization says its goal is "to improve decision making and generate more opportunities for all Oregonians."[1] The group has lobbied the government of Oregon since about 1990.[2]

The Oregon Center for Public Policy has weighed in on how certain policies (such as welfare assistance programs, taxes,[3][4] minimum wages,[5] and unemployment benefits[6][7]) would affect Oregonians.

The organization's policy analysts have advocated increases to the state minimum wage, as well as yearly wage increases that are based on the cost of living (which is measured by the Consumer Price Index).[8] The OCPP typically weighs in each year on indexing increases to the state's minimum wage. When an early estimate for the 2011 indexed minimum wage increase (approximately 10-cents)[9] was announced by state Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian in September 2010, the OCPP advocated the increase as a needed boost for the state's poor. The group also pointed out that the wage hike would act as a counterbalance to the coming state tax increase for gas and diesel.[10]

The OCPP has also contributed to debate about Oregon's state budget and suggested tax increases as a way to help plug budget deficits.[11] In January 2010, state voters in Oregon approved two ballot proposals, Measure 66 and Measure 67, that raised taxes on businesses (that make at least $250,000 per year) and households (that make at least $125,000 per year). The OCPP had pushed for these tax increases and said the campaign in Oregon was "a template" for other states that were also considering a number of tax increases.[12]

The group has urged the Oregon state legislature to improve the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to help provide tax relief to the state's low-income workers, families, and children.[13][14]

References

  1. ↑ "About OCPP". Oregon Center for Public Policy. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  2. ↑ Mapes, Jeff (November 29, 2009). "Liberal Oregon activist says tax hikes are good". The Oregonian.
  3. ↑ Hogan, Dave (August 20, 2008). "November tax initiative seen slicing $1 billion or more from Oregon budget". Oregonian.
  4. ↑ "Economists weigh into Oregon tax fight". Oregonian. October 7, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Oregon's Minimum Wage Won't Rise in 2010". Salem News. September 16, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Analysts debate merits of jobless benefits". Statesman Journal. August 15, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Oregon Jobs Data Show Why Recovery Act Extensions Are Needed". Salem News. June 15, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Rise in Oregon's minimum wage set to take effect". Bend Weekly. December 28, 2007.
  9. ↑ "Oregon's minimum wage to increase 10 cents in 2011". Oregonian. September 20, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Gasoline tax: The state will add 6 cents more per gallon". Register Guard. September 21, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Oregon Budget Woes Grow As Options Dwindle". Stateline.org. April 4, 2003.
  12. ↑ Yardley, William (January 27, 2010). "Voters in Oregon Approve Tax Increases". New York Times.
  13. ↑ Sheketoff, Chuck (October 22, 2010). "It's a matter of priorities". Salem News.
  14. ↑ Sheketoff, Chuck (January 31, 2010). "The next steps on the path to Oregon's recovery". Oregonian.

External links