Oregon’s Regional Recovery Gathers Steam By Josh Lehner Oregon Office of Economic Analysis  Just as Oregon’s economic expansion continues, so too does regional growth across the state. While half of the Oregon’s individual counties are currently at all-time highs for employment, nearly all have added jobs in the past year. […]

Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast, September 2017 By Josh Lehner Oregon Office of Economic Analysis  This morning the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis released the latest quarterly economic and revenue forecast. For the full document, slides and forecast data please see our main website. Below is the forecast’s Executive Summary.

Compensation Toolkit: Dealing with Oregon’s New Pay Equity Laws By Carey Klosterman Great Work!  You have heard about it. Stressed about it. Maybe even cried about it. Let’s put it all in perspective and for the sake of time and, let’s be honest, sanity, I present the Cliffs Notes version: […]

Oregon’s Employment Transition to Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries By Anna Johnson Oregon Workforce and Economic Information One of the evolving changes in Oregon’s legal marijuana industry is the shift to retail dispensaries. As of January 1, 2017 sales are allowed at licensed recreational retailers. Currently, recreational dispensaries may sell cannabis to […]

Health Care Tax Would Hurt Middle Class By Eric Fruits, Ph.D. Cascade Policy Institute Many Oregonians are now spending as much on health insurance and health care as they are on their mortgage payments. The Oregon legislature recently passed House Bill 2391 (signed by Governor Kate Brown) that will spike […]

More Parents Holding Off On Back-To-School Shopping By Ana Serafin Smith National Retail Federation  Even though more parents started back-to-school shopping early this year, many families still have a lot of shopping left to do as they prepare their children for the start of school. According to the National Retail […]

By Michael G. McClory Bullard Law The eclipse of 2017 is a perfect metaphor for today’s (fictional) mailbag letter. Pete (last name withheld), a management employee who appears to have HR responsibilities, is clearly bothered by two employees who have complained to him about jokes made in the workplace by […]

Watchdog Committee Member Thatcher Calls For Critical Investigation of Scandal-Plagued OHA Via WCB Council Republican state Sen. Kim Thatcher, of Keizer, issued out a statement, “Brown administration sought to exploit HIV patient to aid in takedown of non-profit “FamilyCare,” regarding her concern over Oregon Health Authority (OHA) planning to systematically […]

Oregon Government Size, An Update By Josh Lehner Oregon Office of Economic Analysis  Yes, the public sector here in Oregon continues to grow. We have never had more public employees or more tax revenue than we do today. However the regional economy and the number of total Oregonians has never […]

The Right To Choose Or Reject Union Representation Respects Workers By Kathryn Hickok Via Cascade Policy Institute  Why do many workers choose to opt out of union membership? Some believe they can make better use of their money than giving it to a union. Others “vote with their feet” against […]