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Oregon Center for Public Policy

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Oregon Center for Public Policy
AbbreviationOCPP
Formation1995
FounderCharles Sherketoff
TypeNGO
HeadquartersPortland, Oregon, United States
Executive Director
Alejandro Queral
Key people
  • Will Neuhauser
  • Robin Johnson
  • Robert Landauer
Revenue$604,165[1] (2015)
Expenses$512,445[1] (2015)
Websitewww.ocpp.org

The Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP) is an American economic research organization that conducts research and analysis of budget, tax, and economics issues to support policies that improve opportunities for all Oregonians. It supplies lawmakers with information "on issues affecting low- and moderate-income Oregonians".[2]

History

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Charles Sherketoff founded OCPP in 1995 as its executive director, and in 1997 the Stern Family Foundation named him a public-interest pioneer and awarded him a $100,000 grant to support the center.[3] The Statesman Journal reported its goals to break government stereotypes about work habits of the poor, and expand the discussions of tax spending in Oregon.[3] Jerry Bieberle was the first president of the OCPP board.[3]

In 2017, OCCP's board named Jefferson Smith its new executive director, but acrimony during the hiring process led to resignations of former governor Ted Kulongoski from the board.[4] However, Smith resigned shortly after his appointment.[5] In August 2018, Alejandro Queral became executive director.[6]

Policy positions

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The Oregon Center for Public Policy has weighed in on how certain policies (such as welfare assistance programs, taxes,[7][8][9] minimum wages,[10] and unemployment benefits[11][12]) would affect Oregonians. In 2007, The New York Times said OCPP "advocates for lower-income people".[13]

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).[14] 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)[15] 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.[16]

The OCPP has also contributed to debate about Oregon's state budget and suggested tax increases as a way to help plug budget deficits.[17] 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.[18]

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.[19][20][21][22] It affiliates with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.[22]

The Oregon Center for Public Policy has been described as "a liberal think tank" by the Oregonian.[7] However, the Oregon Center for Public Policy describes itself as "a nonpartisan think tank."[23]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Oregon Center for Public Policy" (PDF). Foundation Center. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  2. ^ "About OCPP". Oregon Center for Public Policy. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Green, Kristen (1997-10-06). "Lawyer to lead center to aid poor". Statesman Journal. p. 3. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  4. ^ "Former Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Thane Tienson Quit Oregon Center for Public Policy Board". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  5. ^ "Less Than Two Weeks After His Hire, Jefferson Smith Resigns From Oregon Center for Public Policy". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  6. ^ "Oregon Center for Public Policy Has Again Named a New Executive Director". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  7. ^ a b Oregonian/OregonLive, Jeff Mapes | The (2009-11-30). "Liberal Oregon activist says tax hikes are good". oregonlive. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  8. ^ Hogan, Dave (August 20, 2008). "November tax initiative seen slicing $1 billion or more from Oregon budget". Oregonian.
  9. ^ "Economists weigh into Oregon tax fight". Oregonian. October 7, 2009.
  10. ^ "Oregon's Minimum Wage Won't Rise in 2010". Salem News. September 16, 2009.
  11. ^ "Analysts debate merits of jobless benefits". Statesman Journal. August 15, 2010.
  12. ^ "Oregon Jobs Data Show Why Recovery Act Extensions Are Needed". Salem News. June 15, 2010.
  13. ^ Yardley, William (2007-05-01). "A Governor Truly Tightens His Belt". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  14. ^ "Rise in Oregon's minimum wage set to take effect". Bend Weekly. December 28, 2007.
  15. ^ "Oregon's minimum wage to increase 10 cents in 2011". Oregonian. September 20, 2010.
  16. ^ "Gasoline tax: The state will add 6 cents more per gallon". Register Guard. September 21, 2010.
  17. ^ "Oregon Budget Woes Grow As Options Dwindle". Stateline.org. April 4, 2003.
  18. ^ Yardley, William (January 27, 2010). "Voters in Oregon Approve Tax Increases". New York Times.
  19. ^ Sheketoff, Chuck (October 22, 2010). "It's a matter of priorities". Salem News.
  20. ^ Sheketoff, Chuck (January 31, 2010). "The next steps on the path to Oregon's recovery". Oregonian.
  21. ^ Yardley, William (2010-01-27). "Voters in Oregon Approve Tax Increases". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  22. ^ a b Johnston, David Cay (1998-04-13). "3 More States Stopped Taxing Poorest Families in '97, Study Says". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  23. ^ "Oppose poorly targeted tax breaks for military pension". Retrieved February 20, 2024.
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