Our Oregon
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| Our Oregon | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Portland, Oregon |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Top official: | Ben Unger, Executive Director |
| Year founded: | 2005 |
| Website: | Official website |
Our Oregon is a nonprofit, 501(c)(4), that seeks to support and advocate for the welfare of families, schools and workers rights. The organization is active in opposing, supporting, and petitioning legislation and ballot measures.
Our Oregon is based in Portland, Ore. and was established in 2005. The organization is part of A Better Oregon, a coalition of individuals and business seeking to create tax equality.[1]
Mission
According to Our Oregon, the organization's mission is as follows:[2]
| “ |
Our Oregon is dedicated to fighting for economic and social fairness for all Oregonians. Our coalition represents organizations and individuals who care about a range of issues, including increasing funding for our schools and critical services; fighting for equality and access to justice; and protecting the environment.[3] |
” |
Background
Our Oregon is a coalition of groups and individuals that seek to improve workers equality. In 2010, the organization supported ballot measure 66, which passed and raised the tax on household incomes of $250,000 or more and $125,000 for individuals. Our Oregon also supported ballot measure 67, which passed as well. Measure 67 instituted a $10 raise on business minimum taxes, which would be used for public services.[2]
In 2012, Our Oregon supported the successful ballot measure 85, which reallocated corporate income and excise tax revenues to help fund K through 12 public education.[2]
In 2015, Our Oregon, according to their website, has focused on raising the minimum wage. Part of their effort, is partnering with Fair Shot For All coalition, which seeks to improve worker inequality.[4][5] Our Oregon has also allied with A Better Oregon in an effort, according to their website, to increase taxes on corporations whose annual sales exceed $25 million.[1] Our Oregon is also a part of the Keep Oregon Working Coalition, which seeks to protect and support unions in Oregon.[6]
Political activity
Ballot measure activity
Oregon Business Tax Increase, Measure 97 (2016)
In 2016, the Our Oregon was advocating for the passage of Oregon's Business Tax Increase measure, which proposed to increase certain corporate taxes by establishing a 2.5 percent tax on corporate gross sales that exceed $25 million. The measure appeared on the ballot on November 8, 2016. Our Oregon is one of the top in-kind donors.[7][8]
Overview of ballot measure support and opposition
The following table details Our Oregon's ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:
| Ballot measure support and opposition for Our Oregon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballot measure | Year | Position | Status |
| Oregon Business Tax Increase, Measure 97 (2016) | 2016 | Supported | |
| Oregon Corporate Tax "Kicker" Funds for Education Initiative, Measure 85 (2012) | 2012 | Supported[9] | 
|
| Oregon Tax Increase Vote, Measures 66 and 67 (January 2010) | 2010 | Supported the upholding of the tax hike[10] | The measures were upheld |
Leadership
The following is a list of the Our Oregon board of directors:[11]
- BethAnne Darby, President
- Arthur Towers, Secretary and Treasurer
- Robert Stoll
- Joe Baessler
- Sarah Masterson Baessler
- Doug Moore
- Jeana Frazzini
- Graham Trainor
- Beth Bernard
- Laura Terrill Patten
- Melissa Unger
- Elana Guiney
- Jeston Black
- Trent Lutz
Finances
The following is a breakdown of Our Oregon's revenue from contributions and grants received, total revenue, and expenses for 2010-2014 fiscal years, as reported to the IRS.
| Annual contributions and grants received, total revenue and expenses for Our Oregon, 2010-2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax Year | Contributions and grants received | Total annual revenue | Expenses |
| 2014[12] | $1,285,131 | $1,512,347 | $1,493,860 |
| 2013[11] | $978,438 | $1,143,674 | $1,212,647 |
| 2012[13] | $1,284,268 | $1,483,577 | $1,412,595 |
| 2011[14] | $1,160,258 | $1,339,173 | $1,288,113 |
| 2010[14] | $952,009 | $1,099,237 | $1,207,937 |
Media
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Our Oregon. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- 501(c)(4)
- Nonprofit organization
- Oregon Business Tax Increase, Measure 97 (2016)
- Oregon Corporate Tax "Kicker" Funds for Education Initiative, Measure 85 (2012)
- Oregon Tax Increase Vote, Measures 66 and 67 (January 2010)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Our Oregon, "A Better Oregon," accessed November 20, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Our Oregon, "About," accessed November 20, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Fair Shot for All, "About," accessed November 20, 2015
- ↑ Our Oregon, "Raise the Wage," accessed November 20, 2015
- ↑ Our Oregon, "Keep Oregon Working," accessed November 20, 2015
- ↑ Statesman Journal, "Ballot measure would raise corporate taxes," December 31, 2015
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Account summary: A Better Oregon VI," accessed June 21, 2016
- ↑ Northwest News Network, "Corporate Kicker Opponents Collect Initiative Signatures," April 20, 2012
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Tax opponents ready to launch signature drive," July 20, 2009
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Guidestar, "Our Oregon, IRS Form 990 (2013)," accessed November 20, 2015
- ↑ Guidestar, "Our Oregon, IRS Form 990 (2014)," accessed September 12, 2016
- ↑ Guidestar, "Our Oregon, IRS Form 990 (2012)," accessed November 19, 2015
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Guidestar, "Our Oregon, IRS Form 990 (2011)," accessed November 19, 2015
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