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The Oregon Hunger Task Force is deeply concerned that proposed state budget cuts to human service programs will make Oregon’s hunger problem worse. Oregon ranked second in the nation (behind Mississippi and just ahead of Maine, Oklahoma, and Missouri) for a high percentage of residents who experience hunger. Households are reducing the size of meals or skipping meals entirely, sometimes going without food for whole days.

The nine percent across-the-board budget cuts may seem like a fair process but will impact Oregonians with low incomes disproportionately because the majority of Oregon’s safety net services reside within two state agencies: the Department of Human Services and Oregon Housing and Community Services. As a state, we already have a large number of people struggling with an unemployment rate over 10 percent and are among the highest states for both hunger and homelessness.

There are other options the State of Oregon could consider as it seeks to balance its budget. For example, Congress should be urged to extend stimulus funds for medical care for the poor, the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, and support for school budgets.  At the state level, the corporate tax rebate (“Kicker”) may kick-in because the projection was low--these dollars could help fill the budget hole. Oregon could also re-evaluate the tax breaks it gives away which now exceed spending in human services, education and public safety combined.

More info on hunger in Oregon: www.oregonhunger.org

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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