The August revenue forecast released this week confirms what educators and families across Oregon already know: the federal budget bill pushed through by Donald Trump and congressional Republicans is hurting working Oregonians. Federal tax giveaways for the wealthy, combined with cuts to healthcare, food assistance, and other essential services, are already reducing state revenues, and things will only get worse if these policies continue.
For our schools, that means fewer resources for students at a time when they need more support than ever. Cuts to food benefits will increase child hunger. Cuts to Medicaid will reduce access to healthcare and threaten the closure of rural hospitals. Federal tariffs are driving up the cost of living for working families. These impacts all reach our classrooms and affect students’ ability to learn.
The answer cannot be service cuts here in Oregon. Economists agree that the best way to weather economic instability is to ensure working families can keep food on the table, pay their bills, and access healthcare. Oregon has historic reserves set aside by the legislature, and SAIF holds more than $1 billion above legal requirements. These resources must be used to protect our communities instead of balancing budgets on the backs of students and families.
Any budget decisions in the months ahead must be transparent and inclusive. Working Oregonians are the backbone of our economy, and we must protect children, seniors, people with disabilities, rural communities, and low-income families who are most impacted by federal cuts.
Much like in neighboring states, today’s forecast reflects the difficult environment created by federal policies that put politics ahead of people. Cutting services does not solve economic challenges. It makes them worse. The path forward is to protect and invest in working families, because when they are supported, our students and communities thrive. OEA will fight for our members and students, and we need Oregon leaders to step up and fight back with us.
In solidarity,
Enrique Farrera
President, Oregon Education Association
Media Contact
- Rylee Ahnen
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