The best and worst of times What's going on? On one hand, we have a strong economy, the lowest unemployment rate in years, and declining welfare numbers. complete story Why are some people unable to earn a living? How do you explain why some people are unable to earn enough money to live at a reasonably decent level? complete story Poverty research What is research telling us about poverty in Oregon? complete story Education plays a key role in poverty Few circles are as vicious as the one that loops together education and poverty. complete story Minimum wage fails to keep up Most stories of poverty focus on the players--the people who are poor. We hear a lot less about how laws and policies set the stage on which poverty plays out. complete story Do the poor pay taxes? Many believe the poor are a drain on taxpayers. But in fact, the working poor in Oregon pay more of their income in taxes than the richest Oregonians. complete story Graph: Full-time minimum wage falls below poverty line Graph comparing minimum wage and the poverty line