Published In
Metropolitan Briefing Book
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2007
Subjects
Public finance -- Oregon, Finance, public -- Washington, Intergovernmental fiscal relations, Oregon -- Appropriations and expenditures, Washington -- Appropriations and expenditures, Taxation -- Oregon, Taxation -- Washington
Abstract
Candidates for office, in every place and at every level of government, often talk as if they think they will be able to revolutionize both government services and the local (or state, or national) economy by, in some way, changing the structure of public finance. They’ll improve funding for basic services by prioritizing government spending. They’ll boost the economy by cutting taxes. They’ll replace an outdated, irrational structure by reforming taxes. They’ll make corporations and the rich pay their fair share. Et cetera. A review of the structure of public finance in the Portland metropolitan region suggests that any and all such pronouncements should be taken with a number of grains of salt. The following pages address how Oregon, Washington, the six metropolitan counties, and a sampling of cities and school districts raise and spend money.
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/6879
Citation Details
Novick, Steve, "Public finance : differences, similarities, and no quick fixes" (2007 Metropolitan Briefing Book, Institute for Portland Metropolitan Studies, Portland State University)