Why are Oregon schools especially strapped?

In the 1990s, Oregon took away local school funding—and never replaced it. Ballot Measures 5 (1990) and 50 (1997) capped property taxes. Before then, local property taxes mostly paid for  neighborhood schools. Ever since, school funding has come primarily from the state’s “general fund", whereas most other states (including Washington) still use local taxes to help fund schools.

Oregon’s corporate and personal income tax rates are outdated and pinned to federal rates. This leaves money on the table and punishes people paid less. Oregon does not adequately tax the ultra-wealthy. Those benefitting most from our economy have lower tax rates here than in Washington, California, and Hawai’i. Federal tax laws push more wealth  to the top, making the problem worse. People who pay the least end up contributing the highest share of their income in taxes. Oregon needs a tax code built for Oregonians (not DC lobbyists and special interests). 

Oregon’s “Kicker” law requires the state to refund large budget surpluses to taxpayers. The biggest checks go to the wealthiest Oregonians, leaving most families behind and taking tax money away from important programs, such as education!  These kicker rebates aren't enough for most to help make up the difference in services lost. They don't pay for two years of private school when public schools cannot function. No other state has such an extreme kicker. When the economy is strong, Oregon should invest in teachers, school buildings, and early childhood education among other priorities.

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Some legislators are asking for more accountability as the answer to underperforming schools. Oregon schools need accountability AND funding. And we know this because we see our schools everyday. We know that stricter reporting won’t reduce a kindergarten class size of 30. It won’t air-condition an 90-degree classroom in September.  Funding can't so easily be looked over. ​ We've been fighting the same fight for decades.  It's time to modernize.