Focus on Oregon

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 underground.  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. 

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 generally 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. 

It is believed human habitation began in the area some 15,000 years ago.  By the 16^th 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 explanation 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”. 

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 regions 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.

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 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. 

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 26^th 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 4^th among states with an income tax.  The corporate tax is 6.6% of all corporate income.  That is 29^th among the states.  The state also collects property tax at the state and local levels with local taxing bodies collecting the bulk of it.

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.  Look for out next issue in two weeks where our focus will be on New Hampshire.  We welcome your comments and suggestions. 

Dee Chandler
Editor
Dee@ActiveAdultLiving.com
 

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