Oregon Center for Public Policy
Encyclopedia
The Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP) is an 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." The group has lobbied the government of Oregon
since about 1990.
The Oregon Center for Public Policy has weighed in on how certain policies (such as welfare assistance programs, taxes, minimum wages, and unemployment benefits) 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
). 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) 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.
The OCPP has also contributed to debate about Oregon's state budget and suggested tax increases as a way to help plug budget deficits. In January of 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.
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.
Government of Oregon
The government of the U.S. state of Oregon, as prescribed by the Oregon Constitution, is composed of three government branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial...
since about 1990.
The Oregon Center for Public Policy has weighed in on how certain policies (such as welfare assistance programs, taxes, minimum wages, and unemployment benefits) would affect Oregonians.
The organization's policy analysts have advocated increases to the state minimum wage
Minimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
, as well as yearly wage increases that are based on the cost of living (which is measured by the Consumer Price Index
Consumer price index
A consumer price index measures changes in the price level of consumer goods and services purchased by households. The CPI, in the United States is defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as "a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of...
). 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) was announced by state Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian
Brad Avakian
Bradley Paul "Brad" Avakian is the Commissioner of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. He was appointed by Governor Ted Kulongoski on April 8, 2008 and subsequently elected statewide on November 4, 2008...
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.
The OCPP has also contributed to debate about Oregon's state budget and suggested tax increases as a way to help plug budget deficits. In January of 2010, state voters in Oregon approved two ballot proposals, Measure 66 and Measure 67
Oregon Ballot Measures 66 and 67 (2010)
- See also :* List of Oregon ballot measures* Oregon tax revolt- External links :* and on Ballotpedia....
, 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.
The group has urged the Oregon state legislature to improve the state Earned Income Tax Credit
Earned income tax credit
The United States federal earned income tax credit or earned income credit is a refundable tax credit primarily for individuals and families who have low to moderate earned income. Greater tax credit is given to those who also have qualifying children...
(EITC) to help provide tax relief to the state's low-income workers, families, and children.