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Focus on Oregon |
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Travel to Oregon and
you probably won’t see most of the world’s largest living
organism that resides there. That’s because most of it is three
feet un
Besides the top of the giant fungus, the landscape of the state
is very diverse and scenic. It boasts a Pacific coastline, the
Cascade Mountain Range, dense forests and beautiful high
deserts. The eastern portion of the state also has prairies and
meadows. The sea level differences are also dramatic with the
highest elevation being 11,239 feet (Mt. Hood) and the lowest
being sea-level. The climate is generall
It is believed human habitation began in the area some 15,000
years ago. By the 16th century numerous Native
American groups, including the Chinook, Umpqua and Bannock
tribes, inhabited the area. James Cook explored the area in
1778. Starting in 1842, the Oregon Trail brought numerous
settlers and traders. The Oregon Territory was then finally
recognized in 1848 and statehood followed in 1859. The origin
of the state’s name is not certain. The most accepted
e
Beginning in the 1880’s, the expansion of railroads greatly
expanded the state’s ability to sell its lumber and wheat which
allowed for the rapid growth of its cities. Industrial
expansion soon followed and boomed with the Booneville Dam in
the early 1930’s. That brought hydroelectric power and better
irrigation for farming. The early economy also benefited from
plentiful salmon harvesting and the current economy still does.
Agriculture adds a large part to the economy. Oregon is one of
four major world hazelnut growing region
Politically, the state is largely Democratic. They have voted
Democratic in every Presidential election since 1988. President
Obama won by a margin of 15%. Democrats control their House and
Senate. It has such liberal laws
Oregon is only one of five states to have no sales tax.
However, some local governments levy a small sales tax on
specific items. Their state/local tax burden ranks them 26th
in the nation. Their personal income tax has three separate tax
brackets with a top rate of 9% which starts at $7,150. That
rates as 4th among states with an income tax. The
corporate tax is 6.6% of all corporate income. That is 29th
among the states. The state The largest ancestry groups are German at 20.5%, English at 13.2%, Irish at 11.9% which are followed by Americans and Mexicans. Religiously, the congregations with the largest populations are Catholics, Church of the Latter-day Saints and Assemblies of God. Nationwide, the state has the fourth largest percentage of persons claiming no religion but identifying themselves as Christian. The state has become a center of non-mainstream spirituality. If scenery and mild weather are what you are looking for in a retirement state, Oregon may be for you. At least there would be plenty of fresh fish! Check out our website to see the lovely active retirement communities available. |
derground. The giant thing is a fungus and takes up the
equivalent of 1,665 football fields. It is a giant honey
mushroom and is estimated to be up to 7200 years old.
y mild, but it can have
extreme cold and heat in parts of the state. Eastern Oregon can
get as little as 8 inches of precipitation per year while
western parts can get up to 200 inches. 
xplanation is it came from a mistake made by a spelling error
in an early map book in which the Ouisiconsink River was spelled
“Ouaricon-sint”. The misspelling was broken on two lines with
the last part on a second line so it appeared the river was
named the “Ouaricon”. 
s and produces 95% of
our nation’s hazelnut harvest. Oregon’s wine industry became an
economic factor in the 1970’s. It ranks third in the U.S. with
over 300 wineries. Other major agriculture components are
wheat, potatoes, peppermint, fruit, cattle, sheep, dairy
products, eggs and poultry. Historically, lumber has played a
major role in the state’s economy. However, recent forest fires
and over-harvesting have led to extensive reductions in the use
of federal lands for lumber. On private land, Oregon still
leads the nation in softwood lumber production. The movie/TV
industry has also contributed to the state’s economy. Films
shot there include Rooster Cogburn, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s
Nest and Free Willy. Numerous television commercials have also
been filmed there. High tech companies such as Intel in Oregon
have earned a region of the state the nickname “the Silicon
Forest”. Tourism rounds out the state’s economy with its
scenery and abundant opportunities for outdoor activities.
as doctor-assisted suicide,
legal medical cannabis, anti-urban sprawl measures and
pro-environmental laws. The state has a history of extreme
conflicts beginning with British vs. U.S. soldiers, social
progressiveness vs. conservatism, rural vs. urban and even
periods where secessionism ideas were prevalent. The state has,
at times, even considered becoming another country. The
governor serves for four years with a limit of two straight
terms, but has no limit on the number of total terms. The state
has no Lt. Governor. The Secretary of State is first in line
for succession. The legislature convenes every other year which
makes the budget have to cover two years. That procedure often
results in over or under-budgeting. A “kicker” law requires
that when an over-budget goes over by more than 2%, the overage
must be returned to the taxpayers. There is a long-standing
debate over whether to go to annual legislative sessions. 
also collects property tax at the
state and local levels with local taxing bodies collecting the
bulk of it.