Archives

July 21, 2010 - State economy slips, hints of double dip recession

By Tim Duy, Oregon Economic Forum sponsor, KeyBank. The Oregon recovery experienced headwinds in May.  The University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators™ fell 1.4% to 87.9 (1997=100) from a revised April figure of 89.  Significant deterioration in Oregon employment services payrolls, Oregon residential building permits, and the interest rate […]


July 20, 2010 - Is Your Unpaid Intern an Employee? Maybe . . .

By Wayne D. Landsverk & Merril A. Keane, Miller Nash LLP, Oregon and Washington Law Firm School is out, and summer internships are beginning across the Northwest. Employers might not be thinking about whether their unpaid summer interns qualify as employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (the “FLSA”). After […]


July 19, 2010 - Oregon pays millions to unpaid workers

By Oregon Tax News, Oregon is one of a few states that dedicates funds, paid by Oregon employers, to cover unpaid wages when a company fails and does not have money for payroll. Last year, the average payout was about $1,048 per worker. The fund pays amounts equal to unpaid […]


July 18, 2010 - Poll shows concern over government expansion

Press Release from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Data Exposes Concerns Among Small Businesses and Voters with Lack of Progress on Jobs In advance of last Wednesday’s Jobs for America: Summit 2010, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today released two surveys showing that small business owners and voters are deeply concerned […]


July 17, 2010 - Downtown Portland Slow to Rebuild From 2008 Job Losses

Portland Business Alliance Press Release Government continues trend as top employer Downtown Portland experienced an increase of 54 businesses and 393 jobs in 2009, but there is still a long road ahead to make up for 2008 when roughly 277 businesses and 3,000 jobs were lost. The greatest employment gains […]


July 16, 2010 - Oregon Biomass Projects Receive Federal Funds

Governor Ted Kulongoski Press Release Governor Ted Kulongoski recently announced $3 million in federal funds for three biomass energy projects in Oregon. These projects represent the seventh round of awards through the U.S. Department of Energy – State Energy Program. The program supports energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and […]


July 15, 2010 - New Limits on Employers’ Use of Credit Histories

Article by: J.L. Wilson Associated Oregon Industries New regulations limiting the ability of employers to use credit histories for prospective employees and job applicants began on July 1 with Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian marking the occasion by holding sessions of a special seminar on the topic in Portland.


July 14, 2010 - Small Business Optimism Declines in June

The National Federation of Independent Business Index of Small Business Optimism lost 3.2 points in June falling to 89.0 after posting modest gains for several months*. The Index has been below 93 every month since January 2008 (30 months), and below 90 for 23 of those months, all readings typical […]


July 13, 2010 - Congress Considers Internet Sales Tax Bill

Internet Sales Tax Draft Bill, the “Main Street Fairness Act” by Joseph M. Wallin                                                                         […]


July 12, 2010 - Small Businesses Burdened By Lawsuits

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Press Release:                                                                   Lawsuits Cost Small Businesses $105 Billion, Study Shows A new study […]