20 years of the worst scandals, costly mistakes

1996 – $56 million DMV software crash (1) 1999 – $200 million over-time scandal (2) 2000 – $1.4 billion the state neglected to collect (3) 2005 – $524 million hidden school fund uncovered by media (4) 2006 – $40 million in DUI fines un-collected (5) 2008 – $60 million Data Center boondoggle (6) 2009 –…

READ MORE

Oregon adds 17 new government jobs a day

An analysis by the Oregon Employment Department data on job growth shows that Oregon is adding new government jobs at a fast pace.  In 2014, Oregon added 4,600 new government jobs, 5,400 added in 2015 and 5,800 for 2016.  There are some periods where employment slows or declines, but the three year trend is fast…

READ MORE

Reports to Government Waste hotline up 35%

Oregon Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins released the annual report on Oregon’s government waste hotline. In 2015, the hotline received 243 initial reports. This continues an upward trend: there were 180 reports in 2014, 154 in 2013, and 145 in 2012. Data prior to 2011 is not comparable due to changes in the reporting system.…

READ MORE

Nearly 80% of Oregonians blind to PERS disaster

Poll: 78% unaware of PERS disaster By Taxpayer Association of Oregon Foundation Oregon’s public employee retirements system (PERS) is now a staggering $20-$22 billion in unfunded liability. Just this week it was announced that it grew by another $3 billion and made front page news. A 2015 telephone poll of 300 Oregonians by the Taxpayer…

READ MORE

Oregon regions seeing above average growth

University of Oregon Regional Economic Indexes Press Release provided by Tim Duy Oregon Economic Forum University of  Oregon Oregon Regional Economic Indicators: October measures of economic activity were generally solid across all regions in Oregon.  Highlights of the report include: Moving average measures of activity – which smooth monthly volatility – indicate that the Portland…

READ MORE