Cascade Policy Institute

Oregon's free market think tank: Based on the principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility, & economic opportunity.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

@unheardparent @GovTinaKotek @ORDeptEd It can't hurt.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

Every $1B in FSTC scholarships could fund tuition for 77,000 students or tutoring for 300,000 more. If Oregon doesn't opt in, that money goes to kids in other states.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit doesn't cut public school funding. It doesn't touch the state budget.

It creates a private giving incentive — potentially generating $24 billion in new scholarship funding nationwide.

If Oregon doesn't opt in, the money goes to other states. By saying yes, Gov. Kotek gives Oregon students more opportunities.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

Oregonians can still claim the federal tax credit — by donating to SGOs in other states. If Kotek decides to opt-in, scholarship funding stays within the state for Oregon's students.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

New York, led by a Democratic governor, just became the 30th state to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program. Colorado with their Democratic governor was already in.

Oregon's Gov. Kotek is still saying "not determined." Meanwhile, charitable dollars earmarked for Oregon are headed to other states.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

New York's Gov. Hochul just opted into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program. That's 30 governors in.

Oregon's Gov. Kotek is undecided — and Oregon kids are losing a valuable opportunity.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

The Interstate Highway System is 1% of U.S. roadway miles — and carries 26% of all highway traffic and 18% of all freight.

It worked because user-fees covered the cost. In Oregon. transit failed because politicians funded it regardless of ridership numbers. Investing in highway systems builds more efficient infrastructure within the state and creates more commerce. Everyone wins.

Congress should restore the user-fee principle.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit doesn't touch public school funding.

It creates a private giving incentive — allowing Oregonians to fund scholarships for kids attending the school that works best for them, at any type of school.

Gov. Kotek should opt Oregon in.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

U.S. public transit receives roughly 65% (or more) of operating costs from taxpayers, and costs riders $2.20 per passenger-mile. Draining tax-payer funds and still unable to compete with the cost of driving, is it worth it to pour more money into public transportation?

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

New from Cascade: New York's Democratic governor just announced she's opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit — making her the 30th governor to say yes. Oregon's Gov. Kotek is still on the sidelines. Cascade explains what Oregon families stand to lose.

Read the full article:https://t.co/Rid69Wje7a

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

Since the 1960s, governments have invested heavily in public transit, yet per‑person ridership has declined over time. Interstates make up about 1% of U.S. road miles but carry roughly a quarter of all vehicle travel.

As Congress works on transportation reauthorization, it’s worth asking how to fund systems in ways that actually match how people travel today.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

The FSTC gives individuals up to $1,700 in federal tax credits for donating to scholarship nonprofits. 27 governors have opted in. Oregon families are still waiting.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

Since 1964, taxpayers have spent over $2 trillion subsidizing national transit. Highways continue to provide a better form of transportation and rely only on user fees for improvements, and it continues to be the backbone of mobility in Oregon.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

Congress passed the first federal school choice tax credit. Individuals may claim up to $1,700 in donation credit to qualifying scholarship nonprofits.

To date, 27 governors have opted their states in. Our Gov. Kotek has not.

If she doesn't include Oregon, charitable giving will flow to students in other states.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

This Memorial Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

From all of us at Cascade Policy Institute, we wish you a meaningful Memorial Day.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

School choice programs let parents direct education funding to the school that works best for their child — public, private, or home. Oregon should make that possible too.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

35 years of drafting policy, lobbying policy, writing initiatives, advising lawmakers, and training others how to build sound public policy.

You may be on day two of trolling from Hood River. We’ve been in the room doing the work for three and a half decades.

And yes, sometimes the right policy answer is removing bad regulations and lowering taxes that aren’t working.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

Portland has the second-highest marginal tax rate of any city in the country. Oregon has the most restrictive land-use regulations of any state. Our most reliable energy sources have been banned.

Gov. Kotek's Prosperity Council is one more way to procrastinate past the next election.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

With 75 programs in 34 states, more than half of America's K-12 students are now eligible for a school choice program.

ESAs, vouchers, tax credits, and scholarship programs all do the same thing: put education funding in the hands of parents — not bureaucracies.

It's time for Oregon.

[Cascade Policy Institute @CascadePolicy]

Oregon has the most restrictive land-use regulations in the nation, a punitive death tax, and banned its most reliable energy sources. A task force won't fix that.