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September 10, 2019 - Oregon sues Trump’s Public Charge Rule

Oregon Attorney General Press Release, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Oregon Governor Kate Brown joined four other states in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “Public Charge Rule”. The lawsuit claims the Rule targets […]


September 9, 2019 - Oregon forecast: Continued expansion, yet slower

Tim Duy University of Oregon Economic Indicators This is the University of Oregon State of Oregon Economic Indicators for July 2019. The Oregon Measure of Economic Activity rose to 0.41 in July although previous months were revised downward. Highlights of this month’s report include: – The University of Oregon Index […]


September 6, 2019 - Retailers on tariffs: When does it end?

National Retail Federation, The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French after the Trump administration announced that current tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese goods will rise from 25 to 30 percent on October 1. New tariffs set to take effect […]


September 5, 2019 - Portland passes rental tax

By Micah Perry Cascade Policy Institute, On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, the Portland City Council passed yet another ordinance that will harm the housing market in the city. Landlords will now be required to register all their rental units with the city and pay a $60 yearly registration fee for […]


September 4, 2019 - Changes to Equal Pay Act

Oregon Legislature Updates Equal Pay Act; Additional Changes to Administrative Rules Appear Likely By Benjamin P. O’Glasser Bullard Law, NW Law Firm Oregon has passed a new bill, Senate Bill 123, making several changes to the Oregon Equal Pay Act (OEPA) that will aid employers’—and particularly employers with unionized workforces—compliance […]


September 3, 2019 - The state of local beer, local demand

By Josh Lehner, Oregon Office of Economic Analysis Many of the business discussions surrounding beer tend to focus on the number of breweries opening or closing. We use that as a barometer for the health of the sector, including our previous look at industry dynamism. Counting breweries is pretty easy, […]


September 2, 2019 - Critical moment in Oregon’s state of trade

Portland Business Alliance, This year, I had the honor and opportunity to serve as chair of the Portland Business Alliance, the greater Portland region’s largest and most diverse chamber of commerce. Over the last 11 months, we examined key issues, including what’s top of mind for those who champion for […]


August 31, 2019 - California goes after tech companies

Wall Street Journal Editorial, California gave birth to the so-called gig economy with startups like Uber, Lyft and Postmates that are used by millions. But now Golden State Democrats are trying to smother their babies, and the progressives running for President want to help. Gig companies rely on flexible workforces […]


August 28, 2019 - Wages up. Kicker hits $1.6 billion

By Josh Lehner, Oregon Office of Economic Analysis The current expansion is now the longest on record, celebrating its tenth birthday over the summer. The economic data flow remains solid overall and classic recession catalysts like an overheating economy are not rearing their heads. The good news is that expansion […]


August 28, 2019 - Millennials more prone to job hopping?

By Oregon Employment Department, While on vacation, my father (a baby boomer) was lamenting about how millennials are so much more “flaky” as employees, constantly jumping from one job to another. This was the classic “millennials are job hoppers” myth that has become widespread. But is it true? Are millennials […]