The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis released the June revenue forecast and economic outlook. Governor Tina Kotek issued a statement in response to the revenue forecast: “While the Trump Administration spreads uncertainty in our economy and our social safety net, I refuse to let Oregon be knocked off of our game. We know the problems we need to solve here at home regardless of the chaos coming out of Washington, D.C.

“Oregonians will come together and take care of each other. I am committed to working diligently with the Legislature from now through the end of the session to make hard budget choices and address our challenges head on, despite the dampening of economic growth.

“Progress requires persistence. There are still too many people sleeping outside. There are not enough houses. There are not enough places to go for care or people to provide that care. Our kids must be served better by our schools. The cost of living is on the rise. These crises don’t take an intermission, so neither can we. All of us need to dig deep, be nimble, and lead with long-term strategy over caution so we can deliver for Oregonians."

It's the first forecast Democrats aren't trying to make the results look rosy instead of heeding the warning of uncertainty. As much as they tried to rosy up past forecasts, they now have someone to blame for their own bad policies that are making Oregon one of the highest taxed states. Kotek's idea that Oregonians should "dig deep" is the policy that created the uncertainty.

Kotek's urge to micromanage the legislature violates the Oregon Constitution on the separation of powers between the three branches. Is she pushing the matter to justify being a dictator? Even the forecast states that fiscal policy could provide material offset. However, the "total available resources are now expected to equal $37.4 billion, which is down $755.7 million from the prior forecast. It should be noted that almost $250 million of this decline is due to increased spending in the current biennium." It seems that this is a constitutional violation of a balanced budget and provides pressure to raise taxes and steel the kicker. Mismanagement of funding can't be blamed on the Trump Administration.

Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) is blaming President Trump's tariff dealings on a slowdown of the economy. "Oregon's economy is greatly reliant on our international trading partners, and it is clear the tariffs and chaos from the federal administration is making it harder for businesses to plan and slowing economic growth. With this forecast, we are starting to see real impacts to businesses, workers, and state revenues. Legislators must continue with a cautious and prudent approach to balancing the state’s two-year budget, knowing tough choices lie ahead." However, the forecast indicates that Trump's tariffs haven't affect the fiscal forecast except for an accumulation of products in anticipation of a prolonged period of negotiation with particularly China as our top trade country.

To dig the hole deeper, Governor Kotek issued a statement in response to Congressional Republicans' discussion to reform Medicaid to cut costs in waste and fraud. “I am outraged by the proposed Medicaid cuts. It’s a reckless plan that will hurt people and Oregon’s health care system. One in three Oregonians rely on Medicaid – the Oregon Health Plan – for their health insurance. That’s 1.4 million neighbors and loved ones. Their proposal is not just shortsighted – it’s morally indefensible.”

President Trump announced equalization of drug prices. Other countries are setting their prices and telling drug companies to collect the rest from America. Trump said it will cut drug prices from 50 to 90 percent. This will allow Medicare and Medicaid cost to go down. Trump stated, "we will no longer subsidize healthcare for other countries." Robert Kennedy Jr. said, "America has four percent of the world population and pay 75% of healthcare costs."

President Trump has made it clear that no benefits will be affected vowing to improve the program. They are looking for efficiencies to help cover the cost of $4.5 trillion in tax breaks not taxing tips, overtime, and social security benefits.

Senator Ron Wyden, top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, should have fact-checked his statement. He said Trump talked often about helping the middle class while on the campaign trail. “When the campaign is over, they’re back to helping people at the top and paying for it by sticking it to folks of modest means.” He described the Republican tax-cutting plans "back to supercharging trickle-down.” However, the tax cuts are aimed at middle and lower income families.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Last week both Governor Kotek and House Majority Leader Ben Bowman (D-Tigard, Metzger, & S. Beaverton) spoke out against President Trump’s tariff claimed his reckless tariffs alone will cost Oregon families thousands of extra dollars a year. His decisions are putting pressure on wallets and disrupting the industries essential to Oregon’s economy.” Trump's tariff leverage has already reduced the amount of fentanyl coming across the boarder. Kotek should be as concerned, instead she doubles down on being a sanctuary state.

President Trump said he refuses to let the United States be taken advantage of and believes that tariffs are necessary to ensure fair trade, protect American workers, and reduce the trade deficit—this is an emergency. The annual cost to the U.S. economy of counterfeit goods, pirated software, and theft of trade secrets is between $225 billion and $600 billion. Counterfeit products not only pose a significant risk to U.S. competitiveness, but also threaten the security, health, and safety of Americans, with the global trade in counterfeit pharmaceuticals estimated at $4.4 billion and linked to the distribution of deadly fentanyl-laced drugs.

Oregonians are affected by this imbalance, but Governor Kotek doesn't seem to be interested in pursuing this large and persistent trade deficit in both industrial and agricultural goods, offshoring of our manufacturing base, empowered non-market economies like China that hurts Oregon’s middle class and small towns.

Studies have repeatedly shown that tariffs can be an effective tool for reducing or eliminating threats that impair national security and achieving economic and strategic objectives. Instead of spreading millions in litigation, Governor Kotek and AG Rayfield would benefit more for Oregon by modifying policies to take advantage of federal actions.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2025-05-13 02:00:47

Last Update: 2025-05-15 02:13:27