The DHM Research survey of likely voters finds that opposition to new taxes is particularly strong in the Portland area, where even Mayor Ted Wheeler admits that residents and businesses are “hitting their limit.”
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
Tax increases, regulatory complexity, inadequate buildable land and other factors are making it increasingly difficult to do business in Oregon. Recommendations in OBI’s Growth and Innovation Roadmap would reverse that trend.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
Oregon’s small businesses feel underappreciated and overtaxed, according to a survey conducted in January and early February. And to a stunning degree, they report being overwhelmed by rapidly changing regulations.
In recent years, Oregon has changed from a high-cost state with moderate businesses taxes to a high-cost state with above-average taxes. It has become a much less desirable place for businesses to invest and grow.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
By making general contractors responsible for wages not paid by subcontractors, HB 2057A would create obstacles for new and emerging businesses. General contractors would be incentivized to employ only subcontractors with which they were familiar.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
Lawmakers continue to pursue a state-level single-payer plan that would be so unworkable and expensive that no other state has yet created one. It would require tax hikes of at least $20 billion per year.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
Oregon is the only state in the country that effectively prohibits employers from using bonuses to fill hard-to-staff positions and retain sought-after employees. The consequences for employers and employees are severe.
The bill would make important changes to the Oregon criminal code to ensure that law enforcement agencies and retailers have the tools they need to detect, deter and hold accountable those who commit organized retail theft.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
In just a few short years, Oregon’s state business tax burden has increased nearly 45%, according to a newly released report by national accounting firm Ernst & Young.
If passed, the recommendations of the semiconductor task force would amount to one of the most important economic development policy packages the state has ever offered.
The credit created by SB 1084 would be largely refundable for small businesses, transferrable and robust enough to attract significant investment by manufacturers of semiconductors and other products
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
A pair of bills would leverage Oregon’s position as a leader in the sports and outdoor recreation industry, one by establishing a growth-focused task force and the other by supporting the production of state and regional youth sports events.
Senate Bill 68, heard March 27 by the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee, would create an additional exemption of $1.5 million for estates valued at up to $4.5 million. It would be reduced progressively for larger estates.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
The bill would deny Opportunity Zone investors an exemption from state capital gains taxes, effectively making Opportunity Zone investment less attractive.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
Oregon is the only state in the country that effectively prohibits employers from using bonuses to fill hard-to-staff positions and retain sought-after employees. The consequences for employers and employees are severe.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
The Value of Jobs Coalition’s State of the Economy report shows a city and region in crisis. It is just the latest in a series of reports and surveys that argue for urgent action by state and local leaders.
This crime epidemic harms business on which Oregonians depend for everyday products. It raises prices and reduces both sales and employment, costing Oregon governments tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue per year.
The bill would ban petroleum-based diesel without ensuring that an adequate supply of renewable diesel was available, setting the stage for significant price volatility.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
The Joint Semiconductor Committee’s policy framework is a good start. But Oregon must offer more if it is to compete with states like Arizona for private sector and federal investment.
Over the past year, state and local policymakers have been warned in report after report that Oregon is rapidly becoming a less desirable place for businesses to invest, innovate and create jobs.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
SB 38 and SB 42 address Oregon’s eroding regulatory environment by, respectively, giving permittees regulatory certainty and requiring the production of thorough fiscal-impact statement before rules are adopted. The reforms are part of OBI’s Growth and Innovation Roadmap.
SB 159, in effect, would use escalating taxes generated by state businesses to pay extra for work from which those very businesses effectively might be barred.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
Thirty-eight states sensibly don’t have estate taxes at all, and these include Oregon neighbors California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Montana. While Washington does have an estate tax, the threshold at which it kicks in is more than twice Oregon’s.
The current credit is not sufficient to entice the start of a new rural practice or compel an existing one to stay. With the explosion of student debt and other inflationary pressures, the current credit is simply too small.
Enterprise zones allow local governments to abate property taxes temporarily, encouraging businesses to invest and helping them to grow. They are among the few tools local governments have to offset the state’s skyrocketing business tax burden.
HB 2800 would redefine “because of age” in employment discrimination law, including in the definition such “proxy” characteristics as salary and length of service with an employer.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
Businesses inside and outside of Oregon are keenly aware of this trend, and investment will plummet unless legislators and other elected officials act to reverse it.
All businesses, not just those with 100 or fewer employees, deserve clear information, prompt service and the sort of advocacy the Office of Small Business Assistance provides.
The bills, which are part of OBI’s Growth and Innovation Roadmap, would make it easier for businesses and others to comply with local taxes by ensuring consistency and directing questions to the Oregon Tax Court.
HB 3028 would require employers to grant unpaid leave to employees for time spent in service on committees and other panels created by statute. The bill’s requirements are open-ended and unworkable.
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
It is difficult for employers, especially small businesses, to navigate Oregon’s increasingly complex regulatory landscape. These five bills would make Oregon an easier state in which to operate.
While OBI recognizes that colleges and universities must make fiscally responsible decisions, withholding diplomas from those who still owe fees can create barriers to employment and further education.
Senate Bill 498 would ease Oregon’s estate tax burden for families that inherit natural resource-based businesses such as farms and forestry operations. Thirty eight states don’t’ have an estate tax at all, and of those that do Oregon has the lowest exemption threshold.
House Bill 3042 would broaden the scope of products covered under the law to a potentially unknowable degree, increase reporting obligations and redefine “mouthable” in a way that would make compliance in Oregon extremely difficult.
Senate Bill 44 would create an office of business ombuds, which would help employers navigate Oregon’s complex and rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. Employers operating in good faith often don’t know where to go for answers to key compliance questions
A weekly rundown of recent legislative developments of interest to employers and a look at upcoming activity on significant issues.
OBI VP for Government Affairs Scott Bruun urged legislators to address barriers to opportunity by supporting existing economic development tools like enterprise zones, creating new tools like an R&D tax credit and a capital investment tax credit.
Policy updates, events and other news
Anticipated revenue for the current biennium has increased by $421 million since the September revenue forecast, bringing expected revenue for the 2021-23 biennium to $4.97 billion above the close-of-session forecast.
Oregon’s December 2022 revenue forecast indicates that the state continues to collect record revenue, though a mild recession is possible. OBI President and CEO Angela Wilhelms urged state legislators to focus on growing the state’s economy.
Scott Hamlin, founder of Looptworks, and Dutch Bros are the 2022 recipients of the Oregon Visionary Award, OBI’s highest honor. The Vision Oregon event also will feature a panel discussion involving business leaders in key Oregon sectors.
OBI’s Manufacturing and Innovation Roadshow traveled more than 2,000 miles during its two-week journey across the state to visit two dozen manufacturers and educational institutions.
OBI’s Manufacturing and Innovation Roadshow visited sites in Portland, Hood River and Central Oregon during its third and final week.
OBI’s Manufacturing and Innovation Roadshow has visited almost a dozen sites during its second week, including manufacturers of wood products, silicon wafers, coatings and prepared food
OBI’s Manufacturing and Innovation Roadshow visited more than half a dozen sites during its first week, from academic and training centers to manufacturers of semiconductors and ice cream.
“Oregon: The State of Sport” is presented by U.S. Bank and spearheaded by the Portland Business Alliance.
Policy updates, events and other news
Policy updates, events and other news
Policy updates, events and other news
A look back at the 2022 legislative session from a business perspective. Which bills passed, which bills failed, and which bills do we expect to see in future sessions?
OBI added more than a dozen board members, officers and executive committee members during its November 2021 and February 2022 board meetings.
The Oregon Health Authority announced that it would rescind the indoor masking rule for employers no later than March 31. The rule could be relaxed sooner if hospitalization numbers drop.
As fall settles in and we begin to look toward the holidays and the new year, our team at OBI is taking time to appreciate the resilience of our members and the state’s business community.
OBI Celebrates Oregon Manufacturing Sector Continued Statewide Burden on Businesses Jeopardize Economic Health for These and Other Employers By Karen Vineyard, chair, OBI board of directors As we wind down summer and continue down a somewhat uncertain path of recovery from the global pandemic, our team at OBI continues to find opportunities to not only…
“As I transition into the role, my first priority is to connect with our members so that I can understand what is top of mind for them, but I also want to connect with our partners and the many other stakeholders who help shape the environment for business and industry in the state. I have a lot of listening to do, and I look forward to taking what I bring to the role and what I learn in the role and working with the board to create a long-term vision for OBI.”
“These tremendous honorees represent our state’s unlimited potential,” said OBI Board Chair Karen Vineyard. “Each of them – through their professional work as well as community service – have shown their dedication to shared prosperity and opportunity for all Oregonians. They have set aside individual interests and traditional political allegiances to bring Oregonians from all walks of life together around a common set of values. We are grateful to honor these true Oregon visionaries at OBI’s biggest event of the year.”
It’s clear to me – and to my fellow board members – that OBI is stronger than it’s ever been. And that’s thanks largely to our incredible staff, who work each day to ensure that our voices are heard in Salem, and that Oregon’s amazing businesses have a place to convene and celebrate the strength of our community.
Your OBI team went into this session with a very straightforward policy agenda approved by our board of directors: we wanted lawmakers to refrain from enacting major new taxes and regulations so that Oregon businesses would have an opportunity to recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID pandemic.
“In more than 15 years working with the Oregon Legislature, I have never seen a session like this one,” said Paloma Sparks, vice president of government affairs at OBI. “While the COVID precautions and virtual process made direct advocacy more challenging for everyone, our voice on behalf of Oregon businesses was heard.”
The problems we face are only getting more complex and intertwined, which means the solutions must be more comprehensive and creative. In other words, we need more Oregonians with a vision. In her monthly column, OBI Chair Karen Vineyard makes a big announcement about one of our most cherished traditions at OBI.
On May 4, the Oregon Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) filed permanent workplace rules related to COVID. OSHA had previously adopted temporary rules on Nov. 6, 2020 and those rules were set to expire today.
In the aftermath of the most devastating wildfire season in recent memory, four Oregon business associations stepped up to raise needed funds to provide community-level support for displaced families and devastated businesses.
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing and the public barred from the Capitol, a majority of Oregonians believe state legislators should focus on priorities, take care of critical business and leave broad legislative agendas for another time, according to a poll conducted early this month.
Instead of prioritizing spending to meet available revenue – as many Oregonians have had to do – Gov. Kate Brown’s budget includes revenue-raising measures that are effectively tax increases aimed primarily at small Oregon businesses. Oregon Business & Industry disagrees with that approach.
Due to recently-passed state tax changes, Oregon businesses will see a 41% increase in state taxes by 2022, according to a new report from the nonprofit State Tax Research Institute (STRI).
Congressman Greg Walden from Oregon’s 2nd District and state Representative Caddy McKeown of Coos Bay were honored as our 2020 Statesman of the Year honorees.
In November, Oregon voters will be asked to approve a constitutional amendment to allow campaign contribution limits.
New data shared by Portland economic research firm ECONorthwest has illuminated the serious impacts of COVID-19 by geography and industry.
The Oregon Business & Industry Board of Directors this week named Karen Vineyard, market executive, global commercial banking for Bank of America, as the new OBI board chair.
OBI honors Rep. Jeff Barker and Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis as Jobs Champions Second-annual award highlight of OBI Annual Meeting.
Oregon voters are giving mixed reviews to a handful of proposed measures aimed at the 2020 general ballot, according to a survey conducted on behalf of Oregon Business & Industry (OBI) in October.
Oregon Business & Industry gave its highest honors to former Gov. Ted Kulongoski and legendary Oregon businessman Gerry Frank by naming them Statesmen of the Year at the 2019 Statesman Dinner.
Things are bright for manufacturing in Oregon. The sector is growing, increasing jobs and wages for Oregon workers.
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.
For more information call: Samantha Tipler, communications specialist: 971-940-7434 Years ago, Sen. Betsy Johnson said retired Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli labeled her a “BFD.” “Time passed before I figured out he meant a ‘Business Friendly Democrat,’” Sen. Johnson said. “I am damn proud to be a BFD today and I promise to continue to…
Oregon Business & Industry celebrated jobs, employers, businesses, companies and Oregon’s economy at the 2019 Annual Meeting on Tuesday.
Oregon Business & Industry is pleased to see that the much-anticipated carbon reduction bill has finally been released so Oregonians can begin to understand the impacts of this proposed legislation.
