This is most pronounced in the area of school finance. A changing federal government role has also changed state and local government functions. Since 1980, many federal government responsibilities have shifted to state and local governments. The Changing Economy Two major forces have shaped Oregon's economy since 1980. High technology and services now play a larger role in the economy.
Timber is less dominant.
The economy has also grown rapidly, especially during the 1990s. Since 1988, Oregon's per capita income grew much faster than average per capita income across the United States. It increased from 93 percent of the U.S. average in 1988 to nearly 96 percent in 1999. Within goods producing industries, electronics is growing rapidly while lumber and wood products is declining.