💰 The salary you need to live comfortably in Portland

12th Most Expensive State

Oregon now ranks as one of the most expensive states in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. That’s a significant change since 2008, when the state was a cheaper alternative to the rest of the West Coast. At that time, Oregon was 23rd, almost exactly in the middle, with costs just below the national average. [Oregonian]

• What’s changed? Electricity rates — along with housing costs, particularly in Portland, Bend, and Corvallis — have risen. [Oregonian]
• Higher salaries needed: To live comfortably, an Oregon family of four needs $280,966 in income while a single adult needs to make $110,074, according to the financial advice website SmartAsset. To determine a comfortable life, the analysis took into account the cost of goods and services and used the 50/30/20 budgeting rule — with half of after-tax income going for necessities, 30% on “things you don’t need,” and 20% on paying down debt. [KOIN]
• Campaign issue: The Republican candidate for governor, state Sen. Christine Drazan, is campaigning on the issue of lowering the cost of living as she tries to win votes — even in liberal Portland. [Oregonian]

An Interview with a Prolific Graffiti Artist

The bright yellow “Queso Queso” tags are seen all over Portland. They’re definitely illegal — the graffiti artist persists even as the city has jailed others responsible for graffiti. But the phrase that translates as “cheese cheese” is hard to find threatening, and the tags have even developed a loyal following. [Portland Monthly]

Restaurateurs and a Conservative Group Push for Change

The owners of Le Pigeon and Kachka are among those backing the new Go Portland Go political action committee. While the group say it's pushing for a “progressive city,” the largest donor is a conservative group that’s pushed for more police funding, more homeless sweeps, and dismantling the county's Preschool for All tax on the wealthy. [Portland Mercury]

Federal Report Faults Paper Mill Company for Deaths

Ten months before a chemical tank ruptured at a Longview paper mill, inspectors had determined it was “not fit for continued service.” In a report released last week, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board also found that Nippon Dynawave had done none of the recommended repairs before 11 workers died in May. Company president Matt Peerboom said the board “failed to include important facts and context regarding actions taken by [Nippon Dynawave].” [OPB]