By Cascade Policy Institute, At the first—and likely only—public hearing on Metro’s “supportive housing” tax measure, one resident asked a question on everyone’s mind: “Our money isn’t being spent the way it should be now, so what assurances do we have that this will be any different?” The question highlights […]

Barran Liebman Oregon Law Firm, The CDC and state and local health authorities continue to increase warnings regarding the danger of COVID-19 and its community spread. In response, the EEOC has issued a new statement and updated its Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act guidance. […]

Elizabeth A. Rosso, Jordan Ramis PC A Lake Oswego, Bend, Vancouver Law Firm On March 23, 2020, Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order No. 20-12, “Stay Home, Save Lives.” The Order is effective immediately and remains in effect until terminated by the Governor. While the Order does not require the […]

Bullard Law, Portland based law-firm BOLI Issues Two Temporary Orders to Support Employers In Response To COVID-19 March 20, 2020 By Kathryn M. Hindman & Jessica D. Osborne In an effort to provide additional support to Oregonians during the COVID-19 pandemic response, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) […]

By US Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas J. Donohue issued a statement today following Senate passage of the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act”: “The Chamber applauds congressional leaders for moving quickly to pass a strong, bipartisan coronavirus response package that will provide immediate relief to American […]

By Josh Lehner Oregon Office of Economic Analysis Like the nation overall, Oregon is transitioning down to more sustainable rates of growth. Job gains are roughly in-line with what underlying demographics suggest the state needs to hold the unemployment rate steady. Eventually the cyclical drivers of growth will slow further […]

Dunn Carney LLP Portland and Salem based law firm During the ongoing spread of the coronavirus, Dunn Carney has been helping employers assess and respond to the implications and consequences of the virus for their workforce. As a service to our clients and the business community, we provide the following […]

Business groups clash over METRO’s homeless tax measure By Oregon Small Business Association The Portland Business Alliance has come out in favor of the new METRO ballot measure tax to fund homeless. The ballot measure tax includes a 1% business profits tax ($5M+ sales) and a 1% marginal tax rate […]

By Oregon Small Business Association, California, Washington, Ohio, Illinois and Massachusetts take measures to close (or encourage closing of) restaurants and bars. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said in his statement that “hours count and very strong measures are necessary to slow the spread of the disease.” California Governor Gavin Newsom […]

Business News Note: NIKE is closing all of their stores worldwide. Within the US other retailers like REI, Apple, Warby Parker, Urban Outfitters, Glossier, Patagonia, and Allbirds are closing while Walmart and Luluemon are limiting hours of operation. From NIKE press release: The well-being of our teammates and consumers is […]