Oregon: Leading the Nation in Taxation
A list of Oregon’s highs and lows relating to the rest of the nation in taxation and other bad economic policies that hurt all Oregonians.
Courtesy: Americans for Tax reform
West Linn, Ore. - While our entire country is suffering economically, Oregon Democrats (and Republicans) in the legislature continue to engineer social crisis and drive up the cost of living through massive taxation, spending and other bad economic policies. It’s gotten so bad that it’s becoming unbearable (if not stupid) to live here.
Oregon ranks #1 in sales tax burden (CAT tax, increases cost of goods). Download the ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index
Oregon ranks #1 in income tax burden since 2022. US News
Oregon ranks #2 in lowest average incomes among all states in the West. KOIN News
Oregon is LEADING the nation with the biggest increase in income needed to qualify as “middle class.” KOIN News
Oregon ranks #5 in government spending. US Government Spending
Oregon ranks #42 in economic outlook. Download ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index
Oregon ranks #47 in economic freedom (regulation, cost of doing business). Oregon Business & Industry
Oregon ranks #42 in Fiscal Policy (taxation, spending and debt). Oregon Business & Industry
Oregon ranks #46 in regulator policy (licensing, permitting, regulations, rules). Oregon Business & Industry
Oregon ranks #50 in estate tax burden - highest in the nation. Download the ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index
Oregon ranks #2 in highest unemployment tax rate (increases cost of goods). - US Department of Labor
Portland Metro Area is #5 in highest property tax rate. Download Lincoln Institute Study
Oregon ranks #1 in highest residential property tax based on median home value. Download Lincoln Institute Study
Oregon ranks #8 in highest industrial property taxes. Download Lincoln Institute Study
Oregon ranks #6 in highest apartment property taxes. Download Lincoln Institute Study
Why are Oregonians hurting financially in 2024? This Overview of Oregon explains what happens when the state budget increases more than population and inflation: taxes become higher than the average taxpayer can afford. Because Oregon’s budget grew faster than the population and inflation (combined) for the past ten years, the State of Oregon spent and taxed $77.9 billion too much. If that $77.9 billion remained in the private sector, we’d all be better off. Sure, millions of that would be under the control of millionaires, but that money would be invested in small businesses, jobs, innovation and more.
When it comes to small businesses, “Oregon’s deterioration has been long-term and sustained. It is the second most worsened state since 2000, after Hawaii.” - From the Cato Institute in the 2023 edition of Freedom in the 50 States. Oregon ranks #5 in population change with roughly 16,000 people migrating away from the state each year since 2020. This makes it harder for employers to fill jobs, remain competitive and generate tax revenue.
