Economic justice plan calls for guaranteed income

by Daniel Hauser

Oregon is a prosperous state in one of history’s richest nations, and yet many Oregonians struggle to meet their basic needs such as food and rent. Such insecurity affects Oregonians of all backgrounds. But due to our nation’s long history of racial oppression and exclusion, and present-day forms of discrimination, Black, Indigenous, and other Oregonians of color face greater economic challenges.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Today, the Oregon Center for Public Policy released a document outlining key policy reforms that, when enacted, will lead to a more equitable and prosperous state. The Action Plan for the People: How to build economic justice in Oregon is the culmination of a year’s worth of research and sustained conversations with dozens of community partners representing Black, Indigenous, and other Oregonians of color, rural Oregonians, workers, and many more Oregonians.

The Action Plan lays out specific policy recommendations in three broad areas: raising Oregonians’ incomes, boosting worker power, and advancing tax justice.

Two key recommendations are reforming the “kicker,” Oregon’s highly inequitable tax rebate, and establishing a guaranteed income program, which addresses economic insecurity by providing cash with no strings attached to low-paid families.

Read the plan here:

Daniel Hauser is Director of Strategic Policy Projects, Oregon Center for Public Policy. Contact: Oregon Center for Public Policy: 6420 S Macadam Ave, Suite 200 | Portland, OR 97239 | 971.279.4732 | http://www.ocpp.org