Cascade Policy Institute
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| Established | 1991 |
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| Focus | Issues of policy (state and local) for Oregon |
| President and CEO | John A. Charles, Jr. |
| Budget | Revenue: $555,489 Expenses: $542,827 (FYE December 2015) |
| Coordinates | 45°29′05″N 122°45′05″W / 45.4846°N 122.7515°WCoordinates: 45°29′05″N 122°45′05″W / 45.4846°N 122.7515°W |
| Address | 4850 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., S-103 Portland, Oregon 97225 |
| Website | Official |
Cascade Policy Institute is a non-profit, non-partisan American libertarian public policy research organization based in Portland, Oregon that focuses on state and local issues. The institute, founded in January 1991, seeks to "explore and advance public policy alternatives that foster individual liberty, personal responsibility, and economic opportunity". Although not aligned with any political party, the institute advocates policies that promote free markets and limited government.
Cascade publishes policy studies, quarterly newsletters, and commentaries on a variety of topics, including education, the environment, growth management, transportation, fiscal policy, health care, social services and more. The Institute also hosts meetings and conferences with local and national experts.
Cascade is a member of the State Policy Network.
Cascade is attempting to start a pilot program that would allow employers and works to opt out of unemployment insurance in order to take part in Individual Asset Accounts (IAAs). Under this proposal employers would direct the money normally paid for payroll taxes that fund unemployment insurance to private accounts for each worker. IAAs could be accessed during times of unemployment or if a worker wishes to invest in additional education. Upon retirement IAAs would be rolled into the worker's IRA or other retirement plan. On death the assets in the account would pass to heirs.
Wheels to Wealth is an ongoing project by Cascade to educate the public and policy makers about the value of car ownership in helping improve economic opportunity for the poor. According to Cascade research has shown that automobile ownership has a positive effect on employment. One study, by Kerri Sullivan of Portland State University, found that car ownership reduced the likelihood of being unemployed by 80 percent, increased average weekly wages by $275, and increased the average time worked each year by 8.5 weeks. Cascade hopes to encourage assistance for car ownership among low income groups and make changes in welfare and transport policy to promote car ownership.
The Children's Scholarship Fund (CSF) helps economically disadvantaged children in Oregon by award partial-tuition scholarships to K-8 students attending private schools or being home schooled. CSF also aims to improve educational opportunities for all children by promoting education reform and school choice.
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