Oregon cities, counties, schools and other public services face meaningful budget shortfalls. It’s not a one-time problem. It’s the beginning of twenty years of fiscal stress.
Now is the time to open a conversation that can bring everyone to the table — because these outcomes are not inevitable. We can solve this: Together and on time.
Download The “Our next Twenty” Report
A New Path
Forward
We commissioned this report to provide civic leaders a new path into understanding this complex issue, and imagining our roles in shaping a hopeful future for all of Oregon. For some, this report will present a new way of talking about a host of issues that have been simmering for decades; for others it may be a wake-up call. Our hope is that for all of us, this report serves as a call for new action and engagement.
Treasure Valley Community College (Malheur County)
Most people associate colleges with youthful students, pursuing their dreams in the shape of a two- or four-year degree. That’s true for Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario — but TVCC also serves a broader community and students seeking something other than an advanced degree.
Roseburg Public Library (Douglas County)
Roseburg’s perseverance, creativity, and resourcefulness weave through the fabric of the library in beams of exposed heartwood and the collaborative offices of the education service district sharing the building. The library challenges narratives that no one cares. That rural communities are “dying.”
Department of Human Services Substance Abuse Treatment (Umatilla County)
The Human Services Department is one of the smaller line items in Umatilla County’s total budget, roughly 7 percent. Yet it serves some of county’s most vulnerable residents, including many with substance abuse disorders.
DHM Values & Beliefs Survey
“Fund the services and programs that make our local community a great place to live.”
— Male, age 75+, southern Oregon
“Education is the most important. Improving access to good education in K-12 and affordable tuition at public colleges and universities.”
— Female, age 25-34, Willamette Valley
Read more excerpts from Statewide Survey by DHM Research.
