"Social Security benefits average $1,341 a month, that is a grim prospect, one that is likely to increase the burden on social service agencies by impoverished seniors."

If the State of Oregon or the R-G actually cared about the Social Security recipients, they wouldn't keep recommending increasing the property tax burdens on those recipients living in their own homes or paying rent to landlords who pass the increased property taxes on.  

Political Theatre, not actual caring.