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Kotek’s Prosperity Council Says Tax Reform, Streamlined Regulations Are Keys to Boosting Oregon’s Long-Term Economy
The council urged lawmakers to simplify taxes and speed permitting as Oregon faces stalled job growth and 5.2% unemployment, the report says.
On Thursday, the Oregon Prosperity Council presented Governor Tina Kotek with recommendations to lower taxes, cut regulations by 20%, and bolster workforce development to address the state's stagnant economy.
Facing rising costs and 'declining competitiveness,' Oregon's unemployment rate of 5.2% exceeds the national average of 4.3%, prompting the council to warn the state could slide into economic stagnation without meaningful change.
The council urged replacing Business Oregon with an 'Oregon Commerce Authority,' reconnecting to federal Qualified Small Business Stock tax incentives, and establishing statewide permitting deadlines to streamline development approvals.
Kotek must decide which recommendations to champion ahead of her reelection bid; Republican challenger Senator Christine Drazan called the council an 'election-year gimmick' despite calling proposals 'a meaningful start.'
The council proposed replacing the Climate Protection Program with a 'cap and invest' system and forming a nonpartisan workgroup to recommend major tax changes by 2029.