Opinion Column

Fired up about poverty

By charles sheketoff

The Forest Grove News-Times, Dec 11, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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Preserve rental housing: We should realign our public investments in housing to support affordable rental and owner-occupied homes.

The legislature should redirect resources that now subsidize wealthy individuals who purchase large homes to poor and near-poor families who do not have the affordable housing they need to allow them to succeed in life.

Help people with criminal Records: Voters said “no” to a draconian “lock ‘em up” scheme on the November ballot.

The legislature should respond by providing treatment and job training opportunities that help reduce violence and recidivism and increase community safety.

Provide life-long learning opportunities:. Intel has noted that one reason the company moved to Oregon in the 1970s was Oregon’s “K-life education system.” Investment in an education-for-life system, from preschool through adult education, would enhance economic mobility for Oregonians.

Reward companies that provide jobs: Our economic development practices need transparency and accountability so that we do not squander resources on jobs that pay little and offer few benefits. We also can’t afford to give more tax breaks to businesses that lay off their Oregon workers and leave the state.

Make work pay: It’s time to increase the Earned Income Tax Credit to make work pay for low-wage workers with children.

Don’t penalize the poor: We can make sure people on public assistance are allowed to acquire assets, and we can develop mechanisms so more Oregonians can save for retirement.

Protect the American Dream: All Oregonians ultimately pay more for health care when we deny health care to people because of their immigration status. Barring college doors for undocumented students penalizes innocent victims of a failed immigration system and destroys the American Dream.

Look out for women and girls. We should build safer and more affordable housing for victims of sexual and domestic violence, create a better trained workforce in the childcare industry and develop a more affordable childcare system.

These goals are achievable. I’m “Fired up! Ready to go!” and confront poverty. Are you?

Charles Sheketoff is executive director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy.

He can be reached at csheketoff@ocpp.org.

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