SALEM, Ore.—Oregon’s House Revenue Committee received the state’s economic forecast for the next biennium Wednesday morning.
Heather Stuart, executive director of Fair Shot for All, issued the following statement in response to the revenue forecast:
“Today’s revenue forecast was better than expected, which means legislators have the ability to make significant investments in Oregon communities. Oregon voters have let lawmakers know we are counting on them to pass and adequately fund policies that address our state’s housing, schools, behavioral health, public defense, child care systems, and more.
“With our statewide economy holding steady, there is a clear message to legislators that this is not a time for cuts to investments that will strengthen our families and communities. As we work to solve complex challenges in our state, we remind our elected leaders that these issues impact all Oregonians, but Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, women, and LGBTQIA people in our state are disproportionately impacted due to decades of disinvestment and exclusion.
“While the forecast reveals the overall economy has improved, many Oregonians are struggling to make ends meet. 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.
“Without purposeful action, the racial disparities and wealth gaps in Oregon will continue to grow, regardless of whether we are in a strong or weak economy. We encourage legislators to prioritize Oregonians who have been historically excluded from state investments and policies. By using a racial, gender, and economic justice framework in their policy and investment decisions, legislators can build a future that includes all of us.
“Finally, there is still more work to be done to improve our state’s forecasting. For several years, the state has severely underestimated revenues. This has reduced the ability of communities to address local challenges, fund essential services, or respond to crises. We also renew our calls to collect and analyze data that shows the impacts of policy decisions and investments on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, women, LGBTQ people in our state. We need to know the full picture in Oregon, for everyone.”
The organizations and the communities that power Fair Shot for All are supporting the 2023 Fair Shot Agenda and The People’s Budget because we know we are stronger together:
Reproductive & Gender Justice: With Roe v. Wade overturned, action is needed to protect and expand reproductive freedom, and continue our work to dismantle barriers to abortion and gender-affirming care that existed long before the Supreme Court decision came down.
In Defense of Humanity: Oregonians with low incomes are being denied their constitutional right to representation every day, deepening systemic racism and classism in our state. We are now decades behind in adequately funding our public defense system. Fixing and investing in public defense is a major step towards justice.
Indigenous Language Justice: Oregon must ensure that services are accessible and understandable for all communities, especially for people whose cultures have been subjected to colonization, oppression, and erasure. Without guaranteed access to interpretation services for all in the moments we may need them most, we risk denying Oregonians who speak Indigenous languages access to potentially life-saving services.
Stable Homes for Oregon Families: Landlords are issuing an unprecedented level of eviction filings and tenants are reporting some of the highest rent increases that state has seen in years. As Oregon leaders push to increase housing supplies and reduce homelessness, they must also pass reasonable eviction and rent reforms so that more people don’t lose their homes.
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 identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color (BIPOC); women; immigrants; and/or LGBTQ+.
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