Archives

October 31, 2018 - Oregon has a secret gas tax

By Oregon Small Business Association, The Bend Bulletin recently discovered that people buying gas and diesel at the pumps in Oregon have paid more than $17 million extra since 2016 to subsidize companies that produce low-carbon fuels. But the state Department of Environmental Quality has refused to release the names […]


October 30, 2018 - CA passes nation’s first ‘Internet of Things’ law

By David Rice Miller, Nash, Graham and Dunn, NW Law firm, California has enacted the nation’s first law regulating Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which was signed by Governor Jerry Brown on September 28, 2018. IoT refers to the rapidly-expanding world of internet-connected objects such as home security systems, video […]


October 29, 2018 - Wyden: Canada cannabis law should inspire federal change

US Senator Ron Wyden Press Release, “Canada has recognized what Oregonians already understand: cannabis prohibition is a failed policy that wastes resources and destroys lives. Here in the United States, more and more states are following the lead of Oregonians and legalizing cannabis. Americans across the country, and across party […]


October 27, 2018 - Forecast: 2019 slower than 2018

By Brad Houle, CFA Ferguson Wellman, Oregon Capital Management firm On Wednesday this week the S&P 500 plunged by 3 percent on cumulative fears of slowing economic and earnings growth as well as concerns of a slowdown in China and the Federal Reserve being too aggressive in increasing short-term interest […]


October 26, 2018 - Discount retail study defies age, income assumptions

National Retail Federation, Almost all U.S. consumers are value-conscious shoppers who regularly visit discount retailers to find a bargain, according to the latest issue of the quarterly Consumer View report released by the National Retail Federation. “Looking for the best price is a habit that cuts across almost every demographic,” […]


October 25, 2018 - Did we hit Peak Renters?

By Josh Lehner Oregon Office of Economic Analysis Three years ago our office asked “Is 2015 Peak Renter?” We laid out a straightforward case examining the three main underlying drivers for the shift into rentership over the previous decade: household finances, demographics, and preferences and tastes. The question was not […]


October 24, 2018 - $800 million wine, beer, sin tax to slam small business

By Oregon Small Business Association, The Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Health Authority are seeking to raise $830 million in new sin taxes next year by paying higher taxes for their cigarettes, beer, and wine.   The tax would be be massive hit to consumers pocketbook and would seriously hurt […]


October 23, 2018 - Troutdale doctor charged for illegal Botox

US Attorney, Oregon district Press Release, Brenda Roberts, 54, of Troutdale, Oregon, was sentenced to six months’ probation and 40 hours of community service for illegally purchasing foreign-sourced Botox and Juvaderm on the internet and administering both to patients in her home. “Purchasing foreign-sourced and unapproved drugs and devices on […]


October 22, 2018 - Oregon, Fed tax difference cause withholding problems

By Oregon Business & Industry As part of a presentation to the House Revenue and Senate Finance Committees on September 25 and 26, during Legislative Days, Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) officials said that some employees could face surprises when filing their next tax returns because of changes in federal […]


October 19, 2018 - Record: Compensation costs soar with vacancies

By NFIB, A record net 37 percent of owners reported raising overall compensation in hopes of hiring and retaining employees in the tight labor market, according to NFIB’s monthly jobs report, released today. This surpasses the previous record of a net 35 percent in May 2018. The competition for qualified […]