Subsidies for semiconductors: the risks for Oregonians
One of the big topics of discussion in Salem right now is whether to
provide new subsidies for semiconductor companies like Intel. This push
for new subsidies stems from the congressional enactment of the CHIPS
Act, by which the federal government has pledged tens of billions of
dollars to ramp up semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S.
Understandably, Oregon lawmakers are eager to see some of that money
flow to Oregon.
But are corporate subsidies worth the cost? Do
business incentives actually accomplish what state and local governments
hope to achieve? And what should Oregon lawmakers do in response to the
semiconductor industry’s current call for new state subsidies?
In
this episode of Policy for the People, we explore these questions with
two guests: Greg LeRoy, executive director at Good Jobs First, and John
Calhoun, a volunteer with Tax Fairness Oregon.