Oregon's economic outlook improves for now

By Alex Baumhardt | Senior reporter

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, economic growth in Oregon has underperformed the nation’s. Now, the gap between the two is closing, according to Oregon’s chief economists. State revenue is up this year, and forecast to be up nearly $540 million in the next biennium due to higher-than-expected income tax collections, though corporate tax collections are expected to decline despite rising corporate profits.

Also in today's edition:

State justice officials close several potential criminal inquiries into federal agent misconduct.
Oregon joins states suing USPS over Trump mail voting rules.
Oregon to get $125 million from Meta as part of record settlement to states over child safety issues.

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No longer lagging, Oregon economic growth catching up with nation, state economists report

By Alex Baumhardt

Imports in Oregon in 2026 outpaced exports for the first time in years following Trump tariffs. (Photo courtesy of the Port of Portland)

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, economic growth in Oregon has underperformed the nation’s. Now, the gap between the two is closing and the state’s economic output is growing at about the same pace as the national economy, according to Oregon’s chief economist, Carl Riccadonna, and senior economist, Michael Kennedy.

Oregon DOJ won’t open investigations into six reports from Oregonians alleging federal misconduct

By Shaanth Nanguneri

Federal officers spray and throw chemical gases at demonstrators a block up from the ICE processing facility south of downtown Portland on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2025. (Photo by Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Oregon’s attorney general has closed the door on several potential criminal investigations into federal agents that were spurred by reports of alleged misconduct reported by Oregonians since last fall.

Commentary: A little less Idaho in Oregon

By Randy Stapilus

Enthusiasts of the Greater Idaho proposal, which proposes to shift much of eastern Oregon to jurisdiction of the state of Idaho, may have just suffered a setback. Its nature is economic, not political.