News from Oregon Center for Public Policy, Alejandro Queral, Director
Alejandro Queral
Hello Friends at Interfaith Alliance on Poverty
I’m excited to share news of a big victory for workers and for equity in our state.
The Oregon Senate has just enacted Leave No Worker Behind Act as part of the omnibus tax expenditure bill. Governor Brown is expected to sign the legislation.
Leave No Worker Behind corrects an injustice in Oregon’s Earned Income Tax Credit — an otherwise excellent tax credit for working families. Up until now, Oregon had been following the federal rules as to who qualifies for the EITC. Those rules exclude workers who file their taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Number (ITIN), often undocumented workers. These are workers who cultivate and process the food we eat, care for our kids and elders, care for us when we become ill – and who perform many other vital roles in our communities.
Like other workers, these workers have families to support and bills to pay. But unlike other workers, they have been denied the benefits of the tax credit for families struggling to get by on low wages. Until now.
The Leave No Worker Behind legislation removes the barrier to Oregon’s EITC for a quarter-million Oregonians, many in mixed-status households, including one in 10 Oregon children. Yes, the change is far-reaching.
Your support has helped advance this issue of basic fairness. Thank you.
The Center played a catalyzing force in the campaign to rid Oregon's EITC of the exclusion of ITIN filers. We enlisted two of Oregon's immigration rights organizations – Causa and Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN) – to lead the campaign. Together we built a strong and diverse coalition to push for change. The Center’s research, advocacy, and communications capacity was an essential part of the effort.
Other important victories and advances were included in the omnibus bill and other legislation this session. We look forward to updating you on those in the coming days.
Victories like this are only possible because of the support of generous Oregonians like you. I hope you’ll help us build on this momentum by making a gift today.
Thank you for standing with us as we work towards policy solutions that advance economic and racial justice.
Alejandro Queral
Executive Director