The Oregon Biz Report - Business News from Oregon

Wyden authors ROBOCOP Act

US Senator Ron Wyden Release,

Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to introduce the ROBOCOP (Repeated Objectionable Bothering of Consumers on Phones) Act, a bill that would require phone companies to offer free effective tools to block robocalls.

Ruling: Salary history no longer a valid defense

By Benjamin P. O’Glasser & Kalia J. Walker
Bullard Law, Portland based law firm

The Ninth Circuit has issued a significant decision regarding the federal Equal Pay Act (“EPA”) that should prompt employers to reassess their compensation policies. In Rizo v. Yovino, the Ninth Circuit held that employers cannot rely on salary history itself, either alone or in combination with other factors, as a “factor other than sex” to set salary and defend against alleged EPA violations. Rizo overturned longstanding Ninth Circuit precedent permitting this practice. Rizo conflicts both with other circuits and with guidance from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which allow employers to consider pay history as one of many factors when setting salaries.

Portland Marathon Race Director in $860,000 settlement

Oregon Department of Justice Press Release

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced that the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Portland Marathon have reached an $865,000 settlement with Lester Smith, former board member and Race Director of the Portland Marathon.

The settlement requires Mr. Smith to pay the Portland Marathon $865,000, of which $50,000 will be paid to DOJ to reimburse for investigative costs. Under the settlement Mr. Smith is prohibited from serving as a director, officer, or fiduciary of any charitable organization, and requires him to dissolve his for-profit company Next Events, LLC. In addition, he is not able to operate, or be involved with, any foot races in the future, and he is prohibited from seeking reinstatement with the Oregon State Bar.

Oregon’s overtime rule driving workers to second jobs?

by Bethany Wright
Cascade Employers Association
Oregon has become somewhat of an innovator when it comes to passing laws for the working citizen. Our tiered minimum wage law was the first of its kind, and other states are taking notice.

One of Oregon’s newest changes is the new limits on overtime in manufacturing establishments. Essentially, unless the business is exempt, or qualifies for a limited-duration hardship waiver, employees in manufacturing environments are only allowed to work up to 55 hours a week, with a maximum of 60 if they sign a voluntary waiver, which can be rescinded at any time.

Oregon job vacancy report: 49,500

Oregon Employment Department,

The Employment Department’s latest job vacancy survey shows Oregon’s private employers reported 49,500 job vacancies in winter 2018. They reported a similar level of job vacancies (50,600) the previous winter.

While the total number of vacancies remained stable over the year, there was a notable increase in the number of job vacancies with “other” education requirements. These job openings required some certification or license in addition to a high school diploma, but not an associate, bachelor’s, or advanced degree. Vacancies with other education requirements increased from 2,900 in winter 2017 to 7,300 during winter 2018. They included a diverse group of occupations, such as electricians, nursing assistants, automotive service technicians, firefighters, physical therapists, truck drivers, and plumbers. This category of vacancies paid well above average, $24.36 per hour compared with $16.44 for all job openings.

Oregon building permits hit new high

By Tim Duy
Oregon Economic ForumUniversity of Oregon

Oregon Statewide Indicators: The Oregon Measure of Economic Activity edged downward in February to 1.10 compared to a downwardly revised January reading of 1.18. Highlights of this month’s report include:

Small biz optimism index hits 16-month record

By NFIB,

The small business optimism index reached its 16^th consecutive month in the top five percent of 45 years of survey readings, according to the NFIB Small Business Economic Trends survey, released today. The 104.7 March reading, down from 107.6 in February, remains among the highest in survey history and for the first time since 1982, taxes received the fewest number of votes as the number one problem. Taxes as the number one problem has declined since November 2017, the month before the tax bill passed, from 22 percent to 13 percent in March.

Gov. calls for Special Session. Now what?

By Oregon Prosperity Project,

Governor Brown Announces Intent to Sign SB 1528, Call for Possible Special Session – What’s Next?

April 6 was the deadline for Governor Kate Brown to announce intent to veto the bill that would disconnect Oregon’s tax code from the 2017 Federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act disconnect bill (SB 1528) on the 20% income deduction for “pass-through” businesses.

SB 1528 bars Oregon’s small businesses from claiming the 20% deduction on their state income tax, denying $180+ million per year in tax reductions to Oregon small businesses that would otherwise be due.

7 Oregon broadband grants awarded to expand access

By Business Oregon,

Business Oregon announced seven recipients of grant funds designed to advance broadband infrastructure in rural areas.

“Bridging the digital divide is an integral part of growing our rural economies and creating a Future Ready Oregon,” Governor Kate Brown said.