The Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP) is a left-of-center think tank that researches and advocates for policy proposals to expand the Oregon welfare state. ^{[1] [2]} It was founded in 1995. ^[3]

Policies and Projects

Economic Issues

The Oregon Center for Public Policy supports a variety of left-of-center economic policies and expansion of state government-provided welfare. This includes an increase in the minimum wage, more government funding of childcare programs, and a guaranteed income plan for state residents. The OCPP also calls for increased unionization, including “industry-wide” organizing where workers, such as those working in the “gig economy” would unionize an entire industry collectively. It also calls for more data collection on workplaces via the government. ^[4]

When it comes to taxes, the OCPP explicitly calls for increased taxation of “the rich” and large corporations. It also calls for changes to the state constitution that would allow for increased local government taxation, and also allow for special taxes to be levied on the sale of high value real estate. ^[5]

The OCPP’s economic plan is tied together with “solidarity” initiatives, including the payment of reparations to Black Americans, the return of land to Native Americans, “environmental justice” that funds “green” jobs, and using the State Highway Fund to pay for non-automobile transportation infrastructure. ^[6]

Abortion

The OCPP characterizes abortion as being an issue of economic justice and argues that abortion access allows for increased economic mobility. ^[7]

Statement on Quality of Oregon Jobs

The OCPP argues that half of all jobs in Oregon do not pay enough money to sustain a dual-income household in the state. It argues that therefore the government should enact a variety of measures including universal childcare, long-term rent assistance, increased health care subsidies, and increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamp) benefits. It also advocates for more collective bargaining rights and making it easier for workers to unionize. ^[8]

Support of Federal Legislation

In addition to work on state-level policy, the OCPP has supported various proposals on the federal level. These include the supporting the Biden administration’s proposed “Build Back Better” bill in Congress, which OCPP characterized as “the most important legislation in a generation.” ^[9]

Leadership

Alejandro Queral is the executive director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy, a position he has held since 2018. He previously held leadership positions at the United Way of Columbia-Williamette and the Northwest Health Foundation. Like the rest of the staff at the OCPP, his staff biography lists his preferred pronouns. ^{[10] [11]}

Finances

In 2019, the Oregon Center for Public Policy reported $1,186,004 in revenue, of which $1,175,712 was derived from contributions and grants. It reported $765,740 in expenses, of which $591,005 was spent on employee salaries and benefits. It ended the year with $902,879 in net assets, up from $482,615 at the end of the previous year. ^[12]