Check out the campaign websites of Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick and you’ll find at least one prominent issue missing from the debate as these two duke it out for the democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Gordon Smith: poverty.

In part because of economic policies championed by Gordon Smith and President Bush, poverty levels have risen in America since 2001. In Oregon, as the Oregon Center on Budget and Policy Priorities pointed out on August 28, 2007, that means more Oregonians are suffering:

While the typical Oregon household’s income rose in 2005-06 by $1,667 over 2004-05, Oregon was unable to reduce poverty or the percentage of Oregonians lacking health insurance, according to data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau and analyzed by the Silverton-based Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP), a nonpartisan research institute.

“The typical Oregon household has seen their income improve somewhat,” said Michael Leachman, a policy analyst with the public policy research institute, “but has not recovered from the recession after several years of economic growth.” Leachman noted that Oregon’s median household income in 2005-06 was $46,349, down $3,100 in inflation-adjusted dollars from the pre-recession level of $49,449 in 1999-00.

“We’ve been on the upside of an economic cycle, but it has not been strong enough to heal the pain caused by the last recession or to improve the plight of the poor,” Leachman added. “As the Governor and lawmakers prepare for the inevitable next recession, today’s news should focus their attention on protecting and helping low- and middle-income families,” said Leachman.

“Oregon needs a plan and a commitment to reduce poverty,” said Charles Sheketoff, executive director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy. The Census data shows that poverty overall remains the same as in last year’s report. According to the Center, households with two or more related people living together saw their poverty rate decline, while the poverty rate among children and seniors did not improve.

Oregon does need a plan for reducing – even ending poverty – and there are people across the country working on such strategies. Neither Gordon Smith or Ron Wyden has never shown any leadership on the issue. I challenge Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick to make fighting poverty a centerpiece of their campaigns.