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It is not entirely clear that using tax dollars to boost "green collar" jobs will actually increase total employment and/or wages. Every tax dollar spent to "create" green jobs is really a transfer of tax dollars from Oregon's existing firms and households.

Moreover, there has been no evidence that "green collar" jobs are in anyway superior to jobs elsewhere in our diverse economy.  A report published by the Oregon Department of Energy showed that while the BETC program may be associated with increased employment, the jobs associated with 2007-08 tax credit projects have wages that are approximately 11 percent lower than if the money were spent on other state funded programs.

posted 4 years, 2 months ago
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