Cascade Policy Institute

Cascade Policy Institute
Basic facts
Location:	Portland, Ore.
Type:	501(c)(3)
Top official:	John A. Charles Jr., President and CEO
Founder(s):	Steve Buckstein
Year founded:	1991
Website:	Official website

The Cascade Policy Institute (CPI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit think tank that focuses on state and local issues in Oregon. According to their website, the institute "develops and promotes public policy alternatives that foster individual liberty, personal responsibility, and economic opportunity."

Background

CPI was founded in 1991 by Steve Buckstein.

Leadership

As of July 2025, the following individuals served on the CPI board of directors:

• William B. Conerly, Ph.D. – Chair
• Gilion Dumas – Vice Chair
• Ruppert Reinstadler – Secretary
• Patrick Cummings – Treasurer
• John A. Charles, Jr. – President & CEO
• Manuel Castañeda
• William Udy
• Peter Wendel

Work and activities

As of July 2025, CPI listed the following as top issues on its website:

“

Transportation Transportation drives prosperity. Oregon needs a system that moves people and goods quickly and safely through our state. Cascade looks at market-based mechanisms for providing these services. Right to Work No Oregonian should be compelled to join a union or pay union dues to hold a job. Cascade works to grant true employee freedom to every worker in the state. Health Care Oregonians deserve quality health care. Cascade has been a leader in predicting the failure of the Oregon Health Plan and in promoting consumer-driven health care. Education Whether or not Oregon kids have access to a quality education shouldn’t be determined by their street address. Cascade advocates for school choice for all Oregon parents so they can find the right fit for their child to succeed. Land Use Oregonians face one of the nation’s most restrictive, state-wide regulatory systems. Cascade promotes reforms that will allow real estate markets to function properly. Economic Opportunity Oregonians live in one of the most unfriendly states to small businesses. Cascade promotes free market solutions to improve economic opportunity for every Oregonian. Tax & Budget Cascade analyzes Oregon state and local tax and budget policies with an eye toward enhancing individual liberty, personal responsibility, and economic opportunity. Environment Improved environmental quality goes hand-in-hand with economic prosperity, and both flourish when property rights are respected. Cascade is the leading voice for free-market environmentalism.

”

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

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Finances

The following is a breakdown of the Cascade Policy Institute's revenues and expenses from 2011 to 2024. The information comes from ProPublica

Cascade Policy Institute financial data 2011-2024

Year	Revenue	Expenses
2011	$0.94 million	$0.98 million
2012	$0.69 million	$0.70 million
2013	$0.59 million	$0.61 million
2014	$0.62 million	$0.59 million
2015	$0.56 million	$0.54 million
2016	$0.78 million	$0.59 million
2017	$0.78 million	$0.56 million
2018	$0.75 million	$0.64 million
2019	$1.1 million	$0.74 million
2020	$0.86 million	$0.77 million
2021	$0.91 million	$0.80 million
2022	$1.0 million	$0.76 million
2023	$1.4 million	$0.76 million
2024	$1.2 million	$0.83 million

See also

• What is an influencer?

External links

• Cascade Policy Institute official website
• Cascade Policy Institute on X
• Cascade Policy Institute on Facebook
• Cascade Policy Institute on Instagram
• Cascade Policy Institute on LinkedIn
• Cascade Policy Institute on YouTube