© 2024 | Jefferson Public Radio
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6301 | 800.782.6191
a service of Southern Oregon University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Strong Job Gains Boost Oregon's Revenue Outlook

File photo of the ''Oregon Pioneer'' sculpture that sits atop the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.
Chris Lehman
/
Northwest News Network
File photo of the ''Oregon Pioneer'' sculpture that sits atop the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.

Oregon's economy continues to be strong. That's according to the latest revenue forecast from state economists, which was delivered Friday at the capitol in Salem.

State economist Mark McMullen predicted increased revenues for both the current and upcoming budget cycles. He says that's based in part on the fact that the state is adding about 5,000 new jobs a month.

"Oregon is still going full throttle, still outperforming the typical state by quite a bit,” McMullen said. “And so the question now becomes, how long is this going to continue?"

McMullen said potential risks to Oregon's economic future include a shortage of affordable housing, the potential for long-term drought, and even a possible casino in southwest Washington.

Another question mark is the potential corporate tax hike that's likely headed for the November ballot. McMullen said his office will prepare two sets of revenue forecasts to release just after the election: One if the tax hike is approved, and another if it’s rejected.

Copyright 2016 Northwest News Network

Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.