MEDIA CONTACT: Nathaniel Brown, communications director
Email: nathanielbrown@oregonbusinessindustry.com
Cell: (971) 219-5561
June 2, 2021
OBI and Partners Urge Lawmakers to Address Worker Shortages
Today, OBI joined 25 other chambers and association partners urging Gov. Brown and the Legislature to consider using American Rescue Plan funds to create an incentive program aimed at encouraging people to accept work rather than relying on continued unemployment benefits. Read the full letter here.
Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, many Oregon businesses have faced the very difficult reality of curtailed operations due to government-ordered shut downs, stay home orders and COVID-driven declines in their markets. They have supported efforts designed to keep Oregonians safe, but the cost has been great, as jobs were lost and businesses closed.
Over the last 15 months, the federal and state governments have appropriately invested in extra benefits for workers to help them weather this storm. Oregon has created several funds designed to help workers forced to stay home due to job elimination, school closures, loss of child care, illness and a variety of other reasons. Now we are asking Oregon lawmakers to invest in helping us bring those employees back to work.