Oregon is entering a recession

Question

In just one year, 25,000 jobs were created in Oregon. In the next 365 days, 25,000 jobs were lost. Oregon is experiencing a $15 billion shortage in federal funding due to Republican enforced budget cuts to health insurance, meal assistance, and education. The last time Oregon was in a recession was 2020 amidst the pandemic. Before that, it was the great recession of 2008. These budget cuts are harming Oregon and 21 other states and unemployment is at a dangerous high. "The national economy is slowing and will continue to slow through the rest of the year, according to Riccadonna. At the end of 2024, the national economy was growing at about 2.5%. It has since slowed to about 2%, and forecasters project that it will drop to about 1% in the next year, sparking recession fears." (Baumhardt 2025). 

Answer 1

From doing more research into this, I can conclude that this statement is true. Oregon is entering a recession of the loss of jobs due to the increase in tariffs and cutting of federal jobs. But also that it isn't just Oregon. 

Koin 6 says that there's actually about 22 states that are also experiencing a recession in jobs and increase of tariffs. Including (but not all); Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Kansas, Washington Georgia and more. This is also due to hiring plans falling since 2009. https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/22-states-including-oregon-are-in-a-recession-or-on-the-brink-financial-company-says/

According to another article, by Fortune, unemployment has reached 4.3% and lower to middle-class families are experiencing debt and slow wage growth due to the government shutdown. It's also weakening consumer confidence, especially those who make under $35,000. 22 states are undergoing into a recession, 13 are seeing growth and 12 are considered "treading water." https://fortune.com/2025/10/09/america-feels-recession-state-dependent-income-cohort-moody-zandi/

So yes, Oregon and other states are experiencing a recession while other states are experiencing the opposite due to their wealth. 

Answer 2

After researching multiple credible sources, it is clear that Oregon’s economy is slowing down significantly, though it is not officially in a recession. The state has lost nearly 25,000 jobs over the past year, and faces a projected $25 billion loss in federal funding due to cuts that will affect health care, food assistance, and education programs. According to Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, “Twenty-two states are either in a recession or on the verge of a downturn,” placing Oregon on the verge rather than fully in one (NewsNation, 2025). Similarly, The Oregonian reports that “Oregon employers have reported more than 11,000 layoffs since the start of last year, a torrid pace of job cuts amid the steady deterioration of the state’s labor market” (Rogoway, 2025). Yet, as the Oregon Legislative Revenue Office recently stated, “The broader state economy is likely to avoid recession as long as the national economy holds up. However, sector-specific recessions are likely” (“Oregon Economy Slowing, Likely Not in a Recession,” 2025). Altogether, these reports show that while Oregon is experiencing economic strain and rising unemployment, the state is not yet in a full recession though it remains vulnerable if current trends continue.

Articles: https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/22-states-including-oregon-are-in-a-recession-or-on-the-brink-financial-company-says/

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2025/09/oregon-mass-layoffs-approach-great-recession-levels.html

https://www.orcities.org/resources/communications/bulletin/oregon-economy-slowing-25