News Release: Cascade Identifies Purchase Risk for PPS One North Building
11/06/2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Cascade Policy Institute4850 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Ste 103Portland…
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Dear PPS Bond Committee: Please Tell the Taxpayers
By John A. Charles, Jr. Cascade’s president, John Charles, testified online at the…
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Over-Sized, Over-Priced Schools Accelerate PPS’ Fiscal Crisis
By Naomi Inman Cascade’s President and CEO, John Charles, emailed a Memo on Monday to…
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John Charles’ Sept. 9 Testimony for PPS Board Meeting Re: Purchase Agreement for Center for Black Student Excellence
Executive Summary: On September 9th, the Portland Public School (PPS) board met to…
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John Charles’ Testimony Re: ’25 Special Session Transportation Funding
Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr.Regarding LC 2Before the Joint Interim Committee on…
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Metro Council Votes to Approve $88.5 Million Bond for Road Diets: One Intern’s Reflection
By Connor Roberts The summer of 2025 brought Cascade three talented Research Associates…
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Testimony Before Tax Supervising Conservation Commission on PPS Proposed 2025 Budget’s Race-Based Funding Disparities
June 6, 2025 Ms. Harmony QuirozChair, Tax Supervising Conservation Commission808 SW Third AvenuePortland,…
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Testimony on SB 702 Limits Sale of Flavored Tobacco/Nicotine Products to OLCC Outlets
May 21, 2025 Senate Committee on Revenue and FinanceOregon State CapitolSalem, OR 97301…
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Testimony on SB 1182 to Gift, Lease, or Sell I-5 Rose Quarter Property to Albina Vision Trust, Inc.
May 12, 2025 Joint Committee on TransportationOregon State LegislatureState CapitolSalem, OR Dear Co-Chairs…
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Testimony before the Multnomah County Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission regarding the PPS general obligation bond budget
John A. Charles, Jr.President and CEOMay 5, 2025 Re: PPS 2025 Bond Measure…
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Testimony to Metro on Proposed Transit Bond
From: John CharlesDate: Wed, Apr 30, 2025 at 4:49 PMSubject: Comment on proposed bondTo: transportation@oregonmetro.gov…
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Testimony: HB3792-3 Consumer Protection for Utility Ratepayers
March 28, 2025 Rep. Nathan SosaChair, House Commerce and Consumer Protection CommitteeOregon State…
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Tobacco Testimony HB 2528
February 26, 2025 House Committee on Commerce and Consumer ProtectionOregon State CapitolSalem, OR…
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Tobacco Testimony on SB 702
March 4, 2025 Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral HealthOregon State CapitolSalem,…
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Nuclear Energy Testimony
February 26, 2025 House Committee on Climate, Energy and EnvironmentOregon State CapitolSalem, OR…
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Testimony on HB 2301
February 6, 2025 House Revenue CommitteeState LegislatureSalem, OR Re: HB2301 Dear Committee members:…
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Testimony for Portland Public Schools Meeting on January 7, Agenda Item #9, Resolution 7038
January 7, 2025 Mr. Eddie WangChair, PPS Board501 N. Dixon StreetPortland, OR 97227…
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Testimony for the Joint Legislative Committee on the IBR
December 17, 2024 Joint Legislative Committee on the IBRSalem, OR 97301 Dear Committee…
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ESR Testimony to SLB October 2024
October 14, 2024 State Land Board775 Summer Street, NESalem, OR 97301 Re: Agenda…
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Testimony: DEQ Climate Protection Plan
September 27, 2024 Ms. Nicole SinghOregon Department of Environmental QualityCPP.20244@deq.oregon.gov Re: Comments on…
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Testimony: Testimony to Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission on PPS Budget
June 4, 2024 Ms. Allegra WillhiteExecutive DirectorMultnomah County Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission…
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Testimony: Letter to Director of Power Planning Regarding Ninth Power Plan
April 26, 2024 Ms. Jennifer LightDirector of Power PlanningNW Power and Conservation Council851…
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Rose Quarter I-5 Project Testimony on ODOT AVT Proposed Partnership Agreement
March 12, 2024 Ms. Julie BrownChairOregon Transportation Commission355 Capitol Street NESalem, OR 97301…
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Testimony before the Senate Committee on Housing and Development Regarding SB 1537
February 9, 2024 My name is John Charles and I am President of…
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Testimony before the Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response Regarding HB 4002, HB 4036 and SB 1555
John A. Charles, Jr.President & CEOFebruary 7, 2024 Cascade’s mission is to promote…
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Re: Adoption of RTP and HCT Plan
November 29, 20323 Metro Council600 NE Grand AvenuePortland, OR 97232 Re: Adoption of…
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Testimony of Eric Fruits, Ph.D. Before the Oregon Senate Committee on Education
Eric Fruits, Ph.D.Cascade Policy Institute Support for HB 3068: Award high school diploma…
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Comments on I-205 Toll Project Environmental Assessment
Eric Fruits, Ph.D.Cascade Policy Institute Submitted to theOregon Department of TransportationApril 6, 2023…
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Letter to Senate Committee on Environment and Energy
February 27, 2023 Senate Committee on Environment and EnergyOregon LegislatureSalem, Oregon Dear Committee…
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Testimony of Eric Fruits Before the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment in Support of HB 3002
Eric Fruits, Ph.D.Vice President of ResearchCascade Policy Institute Support for HB 3002 re:…
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ODOT’s In A Tolling Hole, And It Needs To Stop Digging
Comments from Cascade Policy InstituteEric Fruits, Ph.D., Vice President of Research Oregon Department…
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Cascade Policy Institute – to Land Board Members
Cascade Policy Institute 4850 SW Scholls Ferry Road, #103 Portland, OR 97225 December…
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Opposition to Ban on Sale of Flavored Nicotine Products
Testimony of Cascade Policy Institute Multnomah County Board of CommissionersAgenda Item PH.1 Agenda…
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Reject the Renewable Fuel Standard Update
Comments from Cascade Policy Institute Eric Fruits, Ph.D.[1] November 16, 2022 Cascade Policy…
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Testimony of John Charles to Portland Public School Board on the Proposed Climate Crisis Response, Climate Justice, and Sustainable Practices Policy
By John A. Charles, Jr. March 1, 2022Rosanne Powell, Senior Board ManagerPortland Public…
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Testimony of Kathryn Hickok before the Senate Committee on Education
February 24, 2022 Senate Committee on EducationOregon State Legislature Re: Support for SB…
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Support for HB 4140—Expands duties of Oregon Government Ethics Commission to
conduct investigations, make findings and impose penalties for violations of public
meetings law.
By Eric Fruits, Ph.D. Public meetings can be boring, but those meetings are…
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Testimony of John Charles Before the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery Regarding SB 1546-1
By John A. Charles, Jr. February 3, 2022Senate Natural Resources CommitteeState CapitolSalem, OR…
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Testimony of John Charles Before the State Land Board Regarding the DSL Strategic Plan
By John A. Charles, Jr. Testimony of John A. Charles, Cascade Policy InstituteBefore…
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Metro’s Draft TSMO (Transportation System Management and Operations) Plan
By John A . Charles, Jr.TO: Metro Transportation Planning DepartmentFM: John A. Charles,…
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Vlad Yurlov, Policy Analyst at Cascade Policy Institute, testified against funding ineffective homeless services
Chair Kafoury and Commissioners, Over the last year, the Joint Office of Homeless…
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Testimony Re: Metro Council Resolution No. 21-5171—Multnomah County Local Implementation Plan
Via Email April 29, 2021 Metro Council600 NE Grand Ave.Portland, OR 97232 Re: …
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Eric Fruits, Ph.D. provided testimony to the Oregon Senate in support of SB 240
Via EmailApril 20, 2021 Senate Committee on EducationOregon State Legislature Re: Support for…
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Vlad Yurlov, Policy Analyst at Cascade Policy Institute, provided testimony on Portland City Council’s Shelter to Housing Continuum
Via emailMarch 30, 2021 Portland City Council, I’m Vlad Yurlov, policy analyst at…
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Eric Fruits, Vice President of Research of Cascade Policy Institute, submitted testimony regarding SB 223
Via EmailMarch 11, 2021 Senate Committee on Education Oregon State Legislature Re: Opposition…
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Press Release: Eric Fruits, Vice President of Research at Cascade Policy Institute, urges Metro Council to reject Ordinance 20-1449
October 4, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Eric Fruits, Ph.D. (503) 242-0900…
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Testimony of Kathryn Hickok Before the Senate Education Committee Regarding SB 668 Education Savings Accounts
June 5, 2019 Chair Wagner and Members of the Committee, my name is…
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Metro Transportation Funding Task Force Testimony
By John A. Charles, Jr. At the last meeting, there was a fair…
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Testimony Before the Joint Subcommittee on Capital Construction HB 5005
By John A. Charles, Jr. Members of the subcommittee, my name is John…
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Testimony Before the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee of Ways and Means Regarding HB 5039
By John A. Charles, Jr. Members of the Subcommittee, my name is John…
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Testimony on HB 4001/SB 1507 Regarding Energy Rationing for Environmental Quality
Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr. President & CEO, Cascade Policy Institute Regarding…
Read Blog DetailTestimony in Favor of SB 437 – The Educational Opportunity Act: “The Power of Choice”
By Kathryn Hickok Director, Children’s Scholarship Fund-Oregon Dear Chairman Roblan and Members of…
Read Blog DetailEducation Savings Account Informational Hearing Testimony in Favor of SB 437
Before the Senate Education Committee By Steve Buckstein Cascade Policy Institute Chair Roblan…
Read Blog DetailTestimony on SB 847 Regarding Management of Common School Trust Lands
Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr. President and CEO, Cascade Policy Institute Regarding…
Read Blog DetailTestimony in Opposition to HB 2720 A Regarding Virtual Charter Schools
By Steve Buckstein Co-Chairs Monroe and Smith Warner and members of the Joint…
Read Blog DetailTestimony Before the Oregon State Land Board Regarding the Potential Sale of the Elliott State Forest
By John A. Charles. Jr. The decision before you today is simply one…
Read Blog DetailTestimony Regarding Senate Bills 432, 602, 608, 612 and 618
Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr. President & CEO, Cascade Policy Institute Regarding…
Read Blog DetailTestimony Regarding Senate Bills 432, 602, 608, 612 and 618
Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr. President & CEO, Cascade Policy Institute Regarding…
Read Blog DetailTestimony Before the Senate Business and Transportation Committee in Support of SB 656, SB 657, and SB 659
Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr. President & CEO, Cascade Policy Institute Before…
Read Blog DetailTestimony Before the House Committee on Health Care in Support of HB 2128
To: Chairman Greenlick and members of the House Committee on Health Care From:…
Read Blog DetailTestimony Before the House Committee on Revenue in Opposition to Tobacco and Inhalant Nicotine Tax Bills
To: Chair Barnhart and members of the House Committee on Revenue From: Steve…
Read Blog DetailTestimony Before the Oregon State Land Board on the Sale of State Trust Lands
Cascade Policy Institute President and CEO John A. Charles, Jr. presented a version…
Read Blog DetailTestimony Regarding SB 324-A, Low-Carbon Fuels Standards
The top legislative priority for most Democrats in Salem has passed the Senate…
Read Blog DetailTestimony on Measure 86 to Portland Community College Board
The following testimony was presented to the Portland Community College Board at their…
Read Blog DetailTestimony to TriMet Board About WES Expansion
John A. Charles, Jr. presented this testimony to the TriMet Board of Directors…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony for the House Education Committee Against SB 1538 which would limit new charter school options
February 19, 2014 Testimony Against SB 1538 Before the Oregon House Education Committee…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol – Testimony Against Placing Limitations on New Charter Schools (SB 1538)
February 6, 2014 Testimony Against SB 1538 before the Oregon Senate Education and…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol – Testimony Against Additional Tobacco Taxes (HB 4129)
February 11, 2014 Testimony Against HB 4129 in the House Revenue Committee By…
Read Blog DetailTestimony to TriMet Board on Resolution 14-01-03
Cascade President John A. Charles, Jr. submitted the following testimony to the TriMet…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony in Favor of Education Equity Emergency Act
Testimony in Support of the Education Equity Emergency Bill Kathryn Hickok Director, Children’s…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony in Support of the Oregon Department of State Lands’ Proposal for the Elliott State Forest
The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is proposing that the Oregon State…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony Regarding Grand Bargain Small Business Tax Cuts
Steve Buckstein presented the following testimony to the Joint Interim Committee on Special…
Read Blog DetailTestimony in Opposition to the Oregon Convention Center Headquarters Hotel deal
On August 15, 2013 the Metro Council unanimously approved two resolutions that move…
Read Blog DetailTestimony on Beaverton Economic Development Project Grant
Cascade President and CEO John A. Charles, Jr. testified regarding a proposed economic…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Tax Reform Testimony Presented to the Senate Finance Committee
Senior Policy Analyst Steve Buckstein testified on Thursday before the Senate Committee on…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony Against Local Tobacco Tax Proposal
John A. Charles, Jr. submitted testimony on Monday to the Senate Committee on…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony on proposed Oregon sales tax
Testimony before the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue regarding sales tax bills…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony in Favor of Decriminalizing Marijuana
Testimony before the House Committee on Judiciary in Favor of HB 3371 by…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony in favor of deregulating the natural hair care industry
The Oregonian published a great article about this hearing, pointing out Cascade’s long-held…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony on benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit and harm done by the minimum wage
Testimony before the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue Regarding SB 326 and…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony in favor of a School Choice Tax Credit
Testimony before the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development in Favor of…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony in Opposition to More Subsidies of Student Higher Education Costs
State Treasurer Ted Wheeler has proposed that the state obligate its citizens to repay hundreds…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Light Rail to Vancouver vs. CTRAN Express Buses – Testimony on HB 2800
Cascade President John Charles testified today before the Joint Committee on Interstate-5 Bridge…
Read Blog DetailTestimony on the Nike Tax Bill (Economic Impact Investment Act of 2012)
Good morning, Co-Chair Burdick, other co-chairs and members of the committee. I’m Steve…
Read Blog DetailTestimony before the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners
Testimony before the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners Regarding the revised IGA for…
Read Blog DetailTestimony Regarding TriMet Proposed FY 13 Budget
Testimony before the Multnomah County Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission Regarding the TriMet…
Read Blog DetailLegislative Testimony Regarding Public Purpose Tax
Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr. President & CEO Regarding Oregon’s Public Purpose…
Read Blog DetailTestimony Before TriMet Board of Directors Regarding the Proposed FY 2012-13 Budget
Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr. Before the TriMet Board…
Read Blog DetailCascade in the Capitol: Testimony Before the Joint Committee on Legislative Oversight on Columbia River Crossing
Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr. President, Cascade Policy Institute Before the Joint…
Read Blog DetailTestimony in opposition to SB 1581 before the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development
Opposing More Top-Down Control of Oregon Education Chair Hass, Co-Chair Morse, and members…
Read Blog DetailTestimony to House Committee on unemployment accounts
Click here to listen to the testimony. Christina Martin’s testimony to the House…
Read Blog DetailJohn Charles testimony on OPEB Unfunded Liabilities
John Charles was an invited witness before the Senate Government Operations committee on…
Read Blog DetailTestimony in Favor of HB 3477: Privatizing State Parks Operations
At the May 24th House General Government and Consumer Protection Committee, Karla Kay…
Read Blog DetailTestimony on Renewable Energy credits
John Charles testified on HB 3571, regarding renewable energy credits, before the Senate Environment and…
Read Blog DetailTestimony on Bottle Bill expansion
John testified against the Bottle Bill Expansion, HB 3145, before the Senate Environment…
Read Blog DetailTestimony in opposition to SB 909
Before the Joint Education subcommittee of Ways & Means Regarding establishing an Oregon Education…
Read Blog DetailTestimony in opposition to HB 3000
On May 11, 2011 Steve Buckstein testified against HB 3000, which would allow…
Read Blog DetailTestimony in favor of House Bill 2825 A
Testimony before the Senate General Government, Consumer and Small Business Protection Committee in…
Read Blog DetailTestimony regarding HB 3605: Requires Oregon Governments to Fund OPEB Benefits
Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr., regarding HB 3605: Requires Oregon Governments to…
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