Goal 1: Increase economic stability for people, communities, and the state.

Why is Economic Stability a Priority?

Economic stability is the most effective permanent solution to hunger and food insecurity. If all working families and individuals earned enough to meet basic expenses, the need for food assistance and other social services would be dramatically reduced. When people are economically stable, they can rebound more quickly when faced with an economic crisis.

Recommendations

  1. Promote savings and asset building for individuals and families.
  2. Ensure living wage jobs are available and accessible to all Oregonians.
  3. Reform Oregon’s tax and revenue system so it is stable, fair and sustainable.
  4. Strengthen programs that help offset living expenses for low- and fixed- income Oregonians.

Highlighted Strategies

Childcare: Ensure affordable, accessible, quality childcare for all Oregon families.

Affordable housing: Promote and preserve affordable housing for low-income people

Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) so that working families have more income for food and basic needs.

Affordable education and training: Make higher education and training opportunities more affordable and accessible for underserved populations.

Paid family leave: Institute a Paid Family Leave Insurance program so workers can afford to care for a new baby or a seriously ill family member.

Quality health coverage: Expand affordable, quality health care coverage to all Oregonians.

Stop predatory lending: Reduce  unfair and predatory lending practices.

Repeal the kicker law: Repeal the Oregon kicker law and invest additional dollars in the rainy day fund.

Expand TANF eligibility: Increase the income eligibility limit and benefit levels for low-income families through TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families).

Economic Stability for All Working Families

For most Oregon families today, financial security depends on two incomes. Single parent households face even greater challenges, with up to 44% of their income going to childcare.  When a family hits a rough spot, food is often the most “elastic portion” of their budget. Families may cut portions or skip meals in order to cover basic living expenses. Community assets, such as strong public services, schools, industry and social networks, along with stable safety net services, are essential to protect Oregon’s working families.

Oregon’s Taxes and Food Security

Oregon is among a minority of states that taxes the income of families living below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level. This leaves less income to buy groceries. Also, when a recession hits, Oregon’s revenue quickly decreases just when Oregonians need safety net services the most.

Oregon needs a tax system that:

  • Protects earnings and wages of low-income people
  • Provides stable revenue for critical services

Reforming our tax system can help lift hard working families toward economic stability in good and bad times. This will help Oregonians afford food without assistance.

What Works?

Investments in work-based supports have been found to lessen economic hardship among families10. Work-based supports in Oregon include

  • Unemployment Insurance
  • Earned Income Tax Credit
  • Child Care Tax Credits

Broadening Oregon’s work-based supports to include a Paid Family Leave Insurance program and a Paid Sick Leave program would be beneficial for employees, businesses and our communities by decreasing volatility in personal incomes and increasing workforce stability.