This month, OBI became the first organization to get the three leading gubernatorial candidates together. The highlight of the June 7 annual meeting, the candidate forum featured Republican candidate Christine Drazan, nonaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson and Democratic candidate Tina Kotek. For more than an hour, the three answered questions on a range of issues, including taxation, workforce challenges, Oregon’s land use system, state agency leadership and the appropriate use of executive orders. The audience included dozens of state legislators, many of whom stuck around to talk with OBI members at the reception that followed the annual meeting.
This was OBI’s first in-person event in two years, and we look forward to hosting more. Up next is the 2022 Vision Oregon Event, which will take place Oct. 19 at the Portland Art Museum.