Common Sense Institute Oregon

Today, we officially welcome CSI Oregon to our family! Get ready for groundbreaking research and unbiased policy analysis in the Beaver State. #CSI_OR

Meet the Oregon board! This week, we’re proud to feature Tom Gerding - a third-generation Oregonian! Tom was the owner of Gerding Companies, Inc., before making it a 100% employee-owned business. His passion for building stronger communities and empowering others makes him a…

DYK? Oregon has the lowest estate tax exemption threshold and is one of only 12 states with an estate tax. CSI has all the facts - read the report: bit.ly/4iZiFs3 Learn more by reading the article: bit.ly/3UqN9Zi

This week, we’re excited to spotlight Stella! Stella has been a huge help to the Oregon office this summer. She brings enthusiasm and determination to her research, and we’re glad to have her on board!

Unemployment continues to rise. In June, the state's unemployment rate reached 4.9%. To put it in perspective, the national average is 4.1%. To learn more, read our report: bit.ly/3GzxfbX

Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 4,300 jobs in June. The sectors that were hit hardest: Other services (-1,400) Manufacturing (-1,200) Construction (-400) Learn all the facts by reading the report: bit.ly/3GzxfbX

Oregon has received its lowest-ever overall business ranking: 39th. Just eight years ago, the state was 17th. State policymakers should be as alarmed about this ranking as employers are about Oregon's eroding business climate. #orpol #orleg oregonbusinessindustry.com/oregon-plummet…

Oregon’s inflation is cooling — and that’s good news. On @KXLNews, Mark McMullen broke down CSI’s latest report, showing the state’s inflation rate is now hovering between 2–3%, edging closer to the Federal Reserve’s target. To learn more, read the report: bit.ly/45WMZQs

Meet Caitlin! This week we're giving a huge shoutout to Caitlin for all her hard work supporting our Oregon team! She's been diving into the details to help gather data for our latest transportation report. Check it out: commonsenseinstituteus.org/oregon/researc…

Happy Independence Day from CSI! Today we celebrate the spirit of freedom, unity, and the American dream. Wishing you a safe and joyful 4th of July!

Want to understand what’s really driving Oregon’s economy? Common Sense Institute Oregon delivers nonpartisan, data-driven insights on tax policy, government spending, workforce trends, and more—straight to your inbox. Get the facts today by subscribing to our newsletter:…

What’s the economic impact of new taxes & fees in Oregon’s transportation package? CSI Oregon analysis shows the tradeoffs: – $2.5B drop in GDP – $1.7B loss in personal income (mostly workers) – More than 16,000 fewer jobs – $4.2B decline in business output Policy matters.…

Fuel Tax Impact Oregon’s proposed transportation package would tie the gas tax to inflation—meaning higher prices at the pump, even when the economy slows. CSI analysis shows households could see 5–10¢ more per gallon in the next five years—hitting working families hardest.…

Did you know that Oregon is lacking housing? From 2015 to 2019, the state added three residents for every one permitted housing unit—fueling national shortages across both urban and rural areas. To learn more, read the report: commonsenseinstituteus.org/oregon/researc… Read the article:…

Oregon ranks 44th in Chief Executive’s 2025 Best & Worst States for Business. Why is Oregon falling behind? Because policy matters. CSI’s Free Enterprise Report unpacks the data behind the trend—and shows how important policy is when it comes to economic growth and business…

Oregon ranked 44th for Chief Executive Best & Worst States for Business in 2025. For more information click here: chiefexecutive.net/texas-florida-…

CSI Oregon’s May report shows the state has 41,200 more jobs than before the pandemic, yet nearly half of major industries still haven’t returned to pre-2020 employment levels. Dive into the full report: bit.ly/3Tx2BTe

Oregon’s unemployment rate has climbed 5 months in a row—now at 4.8%. In May alone, the state lost 1,400 jobs—most of them in construction and manufacturing. What does this mean for Oregon’s economic outlook? CSI has the data: bit.ly/3Tx2BTe

Oregon isn’t building fast enough to meet demand. In 2024, the state permitted just 14,621 housing units—a 33% drop from the 2021 peak. To meet its 2045 housing goal, Oregon must average 29,500 units per year—more than double current levels. Learn more in CSI's latest report:…

Happy Birthday to Alyssa Zambrano! Today, we celebrate Alyssa, CSI's VP of Operations! Thank you for your hard work, passion, and commitment to our mission. Wishing you a wonderful birthday!

Middle Housing Still Lags Behind Despite the passage of HB 2001 to legalize middle housing, Oregon’s housing mix hasn’t shifted much. From 2014 to 2023, 56% of all homes permitted were still single-family units. Middle housing has yet to make a significant impact on overall…