By NFIB, The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 99.8 in April, an increase of 1.6 points from March. The Optimism Index has increased 4.8 points over the past three months since January but a record 44% of owners reported job openings that could not be filled. “Small business […]

(photo: METRO building) Metro Council Resolution No. 21-5171 County’s current plan squanders millions of dollars with no accountability or measures of success By Cascade Policy Institute, Metro will consider a resolution approving Multnomah County’s plan to spend $52 million over the next year to address homelessness in the county. Cascade […]

By Heather J. Van Meter Barran Liebman LLP Oregon law firm, The Oregon Court of Appeals held on May 5, 2021, that anyone could be sued and held liable for “aiding and abetting” unlawful employment practices, not just employers or employees, as the federal court in Oregon had consistently previously […]

By Oregon Business and Industry On May 4, the Oregon Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) filed permanent workplace rules related to COVID. OSHA had previously adopted temporary rules on Nov. 6, 2020 and those rules were set to expire today. OBI has been heavily engaged in the rulemaking process […]

Poll shows the vast majority of people are relieved the Governor’s latest indoor dining ban has ended By Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association Wilsonville, OR– A recent poll shows, 88% of Oregonians say they should be able to make their own decision about dining indoors at restaurants as more people […]

By Taxpayer Foundation of Oregon Oregon businesses growing and selling cannabis want the ability to sell their product to people in other states, but until the federal law changes making marijuana legal, Gov. Kate Brown says her hands are tied, according to the Portland Business Journal. Sixteen states and Washington, […]

By Oregon Small Business Association, 1. Oregon Hazelnuts are booming — Oregon Hazelnuts Receive 15-20% Premium 2. Marijuana sales are breaking records — April Marijuana Sales in Oregon, Illinois Set New Highs 3. Cherry crops are growing — Estimate points to bigger cherry crop this year in the Northwest  As […]

By US Chamber of Commerce, Glenn Spencer, Senior Vice President of Employment Policy Division at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released the following statement after President Biden announced he would withdraw the Independent Contractor Rule: “We are disappointed to see the administration withdraw a balanced rule that was well-grounded in […]

By Cascade Policy Institute, Portland City Council is focusing on making it easier to build outdoor homeless shelters. This raises the question: Why not set permanent housing free? Adopting Portland’s Shelter to Housing Continuum Project would remove design review requirements from outdoor shelters. Design review is the process by which […]

By Oregon Small Business Association, The vacancy rate in Portland’s central business district hit 19.4 percent during the first quarter of 2021, while the city’s overall vacancy is 14.7 percent. But real estate officials expressed optimism for improvement in the next year or two—especially when compared with the decline of […]