With the national economy struggling to recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression, every state is competing for new jobs. This includes attracting existing businesses and entrepreneurial startups. And, Oregon is no exception.
And as states compete against one another to attract business there is a tendency to use business tax rates as a measure of the state’s business “friendlessness”. Often overlooked in this discussion is the total cost to businesses, including among other things state-sponsored education. Education may not be important for low-wage, unskilled positions. But for states like Oregon that seek to attract technology companies ranging from software to clean energy, education is critical.
Earlier this year, Ernst & Young published a report that looks at the total state and local business taxes across the country and Oregon compares quite favorably for businesses that rely upon well-educated workers. To learn more, read the whole report here.
