News

In new data released Thursday, April 16, the Oregon Employment Department stated that more than 300,000 Oregonians have been laid off with about 54,000 in the past week alone. That translates to roughly 1 in 7 Oregonians. 

In coordination with the governors of Washington and California, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced on Tuesday, April 14, that she will be taking a science-based approach as she decides how to lift her Stay Home, Save Lives executive order and reopen Oregon business.

This week, the Oregon Employment Department reported it received a total of 269,900 unemployment claims in a three week period as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

In light of Gov. Brown’s announcement on Wednesday, April 9, that she would be extending K-12 and postsecondary school closures through the remainder of the school year, and that districts should be putting their Student Success Act spending plans on hold, OBI joined with dozens of other business associations to again ask for a delay in the implementation of the Corporate Activity Tax.

Over the last week, three major Oregon manufacturers said they were curtailing operations. Precision Castparts, Evraz and Greenbrier all appear to be reacting to the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. Meantime, Daimler extended its Portland factory shut down that started March 25. Oregon’s Stay Home order allows manufacturers to continue operating so long as they implement social distancing…

Gov. Kate Brown announced today that Oregon schools would remain closed for the remainder of the 2019/2020 school year, attributing that decision to the difficulty in implementing social distancing practices in a school environment. 

Yesterday, April 7, Gov. Brown issued Executive Order 20-14 that extends the prohibition on dine-in food and drink consumption to align with her Stay Home, Save Lives order issued last month.

Gov. Brown has pulled together an expert panel of medical professionals, doctors and infectious disease experts from across Oregon to make recommendations on how the state continues to respond to this crisis.

New data shared by Portland economic research firm ECONorthwest has illuminated the serious impacts of COVID-19 by geography and industry.

The University of Washington has created a comprehensive website to track various COVID-19 response statistics on a state-by-state basis.

On Saturday, April 4, Gov. Kate Brown responded to a call for help from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose state is impacted particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The CDC announced it was now recommending the public cover their faces with cloth masks when going to grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential businesses where maintaining social distancing protocol can be difficult.

Beginning this morning, April 3, qualifying businesses can apply for loans under the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

The federal emergency Family Medical Leave Act and sick leave related to COVID-19 went into effect on Wednesday, April 1.

Unemployment insurance claims are setting new records nationwide and Oregon is no different. The U.S. Labor Department reported 6.6 million this week.

SAIF is accepting applications for its new $10 million coronavirus worker safety fund, which is aimed at promoting employee safety, reducing injuries and decreasing exposure.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, OBI’s national-level partner, today released new guides for businesses of all sizes to secure relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Oregon businesses and OBI members are helping nonprofits, small businesses and vulnerable Oregonians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by giving more than $2.5 million and in-kind equipment.

The U.S. Congress and other federal leaders are developing programs to assist businesses and workers impacted by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health has issued information in their frequently asked questions about workplace requirements.

The U.S. Department of Labor continues to update its websites in advice for employers dealing with coronavirus-related questions.

Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle this afternoon published a temporary order that will allow some Oregon manufacturers to claim an exemption to the state’s overtime limitations. 

Today the House passed the $2 trillion stimulus package, also known as the CARES Act, and President Trump signed it into law this afternoon.

SAIF has approved a $10 million fund to support employee safety, reduce injuries, and decrease exposure during the coronavirus pandemic.

The federal emergency Family Medical Leave Act and sick leave related to COVID-19 goes into effect April 1.

This week, the Department of Revenue announced that it was delaying filing deadlines for corporate and personal 2019 tax returns.

In anticipation of a special legislative session next week, the chairs of the Special Joint Committee on Coronavirus Response sent a letter to legislative leadership narrowing down the longer list of 47 policy proposals to an 11-page priority list. 

Unemployment insurance claims are setting new records nationwide and in Oregon. The U.S. Labor Department reported 3.2 million this week.

OBI Members: The last several days have been incredibly challenging times for Oregon businesses and our workers.

The governor, in her executive orders, has been very specific about which businesses are closed.

U.S. Senate will consider a compromise $2 trillion stimulus package to aid coronavirus response across the nation, called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

On Monday Gov. Kate Brown issued her Stay Home, Save Lives order, asking Oregonians to stay home except for essential needs like grocery shopping and going to a pharmacy.

We expect the Oregon Legislature to meet in a special session next week to designate funding to address the pandemic’s affect in Oregon.

A letter to Gov. Kate Brown and legislative leaders outlining steps state government should take to assist the Oregon business community’s efforts to preserve jobs and maintain operations during the coronavirus crisis.

After Gov. Brown mandated most restaurants, bars and other eating establishments to close except for delivery and takeout, many businesses have shut their doors and laid off employees.

Today the Senate passed HR 6201 requiring additional paid leave provisions and tax credits to businesses, along with other relief efforts. The House passed the bill earlier this week. Click here for more detailed information from our partners at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Today the White House also announced guidelines further increasing social distancing measures nationwide. Similar to Gov. Brown’s order, the White House recommended people not gather in groups of more than 10 people, though its stipulation was only for the next 15 days.

Today Gov. Kate Brown announced stricter mandates to address the coronavirus situation in Oregon. That included prohibiting any events or gatherings with more than 25 people.

Finally, Gov. Brown unveiled a coordinated health care approach in the Portland-metro area designed to ensure as many beds as possible are available for patients who need them.

Today Gov. Brown also announced she is convening a Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council, which will include OBI CEO Sandra McDonough.

OBI partner hrsimple is putting on a webinar to guide employers on coronavirus in the workplace. As an OBI member you get access to it.

With concern for working parents, possibly ill employees or quarantined employees, businesses must be flexible as we address the COVID-19 situation. 

Gov. Kate Brown has ordered schools throughout the state to close from Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31. In a Department of Education announcement, Gov. Brown said education officials told her it has been difficult for schools to function due to student absences and workforce issues.

Today, Gov. Kate Brown put forward an executive order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. She issued Executive Order 20-05, which outlines rules that limit large gatherings and ensure social distancing for the next four weeks.

Happy New Year! With the arrival of 2020, so also arrives the end of my tenure as chair of OBI’s board of directors. I’ll soon be passing the torch to Karen Vineyard, OBI’s first vice chair and Bank of America Merrill Lynch market executive for global commercial banking.

Oregon is a wide ranging and diverse state, with many different regions, people and opinions. That’s why, when OBI recently conducted a poll, we did a larger than usual voter sample so we could compare how Oregonians in different regions of our state feel about how things are going.

It’s no surprise transportation is an important part of doing business in Oregon. We need ways to move our products into and out of the state, and within Oregon’s borders.

The 2019 Statesman Dinner was a big success! Despite obstacles that fell in our laps – like the ceiling collapse at the Portland Art Museum – we were able to rise above and dedicate a night to those who serve the state of Oregon.

Friday Oct. 4 was National Manufacturing Day, and OBI celebrated by promoting our manufacturing members all week long, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6.

Innovations in manufacturing abound, including open source technology, artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and 3-D printing.

For the last few years, it’s been clear that a new day has dawned for retail. Customers no longer feel they have to go into stores.

There are actions employers can take to put the right tools and people in place to ultimately propel their companies and the manufacturing industry forward.

Oregon workers’ compensation law exempts many truck drivers who own or lease the motor vehicle equipment they drive from workers’ compensation coverage.

Board member Lori Olund, president of Miles Fiberglass and Composites, joined Congressman Kurt Schrader for a meeting to discuss the importance of the proposed US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Each legislative session seems to add to the weight of employment regulations on businesses, and the 2019 legislative session is certainly no exception.

Get a comprehensive view of unemployment tax, benefits and policy looking to 2020 and beyond at the National Unemployment Insurance Policy Conference.

Oregon Business & Industry celebrated jobs, employers, businesses, companies and Oregon’s economy at the 2019 Annual Meeting on Tuesday.

The past few weeks have been intense times in the Legislature and at Oregon Business & Industry, as the OBI team has been rigorously working to protect member interests in scores of bills impacting business.

Oregon businesses care about the Earth and work every day to help the environment. On Earth Day 2019, we’re listing a few ways Oregon employers take care of the place we call home. 

As we get deeper into the 2019 Legislative Session, a familiar specter is back: the runaway costs of the Public Employees Retirement System.

Legislators need to hear from Oregon Business & Industry members about how an inflated family leave proposal could hurt Oregon’s economy, businesses and workers.

In the 2019 legislative session, the OBI team is closely following tax bills and bills related to employment regulation.

Although it is only two weeks old, the 2019 legislative session has gotten off to a roaring start, with several pieces of sweeping legislation already on the table. Our OBI team is on top of it, at the Capitol every single day to make sure the perspective of Oregon business is heard in every hearing room and every office.

Governor Brown’s Proposed 2019-21 Budget Gov. Kate Brown released her proposed budget on Nov. 29. This document, which highlights the governor’s priorities for the 2019/2021 fiscal biennium, will be the framework for the Legislature’s budget considerations when lawmakers convene on Jan. 22. Below please find subject-by-subject highlights from the Governor’s proposed 2019-2021 budget that are…

When the 2019 Legislature convenes, we know a number of big issues impacting your business—and your ability to grow and keep quality jobs for Oregonians—will be on the agenda. We will start the legislative session making sure your voice and concerns are heard.