Archives

February 4, 2016 - Burdensome Pay Data Reporting Rule Proposed

By Bullard Law, Portland law firm By Michael G. McClory Get ready to grumble.  The EEOC and OFCCP jointly announced plans to substantially increase the data reporting burdens on employers associated with the annual EEO-1 Report. All covered private employers must file an EEO-1 Report every September. Currently, the report […]


February 3, 2016 - Legislature eyes Cap and Trade (Tax)

Associated Oregon Industries Oregon’s largest business advocate by Mike Freese In the upcoming 2016 “Short Session,” legislators will debate a controversial cap and trade bill, labeled the “Healthy Climate Act.” In short, the bill proposes to raise billions in new revenue on the backs of unsuspecting businesses and consumers. Proponents […]


February 2, 2016 - Why state corporate income taxes are disappearing

Oregon Economics Blog But why? The easiest explanation to discard is that, in a race to the bottom, states have reduced corporate income-tax (SCIT) rates. They haven’t. Marginal SCIT rates have been more or less constant for more than 30 years.


February 1, 2016 - 2016: A year of business risk, uncertainty

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Facing extraordinary economic, political, and geopolitical uncertainty and risks in 2016, businesses need more pro-growth lawmakers and better policies to create jobs, stimulate growth, raise incomes, and increase opportunities for Americans, said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue in his annual “State of American […]


January 28, 2016 - Business bills of 2016 Legislature

Associated Oregon Industries Oregon’s largest business advocate As many of you know, the Oregon Legislature convenes for both long and short Legislative Sessions, depending on the year. The upcoming 2016 Legislative Session is a short session, meaning it will last 35 days starting February 1, 2016. While some believe short […]


January 27, 2016 - 2016 Ballot: Oregon’s bloodiest political year?

By Oregon NFIB Ahead of some highly charged ballot issues that could be put to voters this fall, a top Oregon senator warned of “potentially the bloodiest political day in Oregon’s history.” Senate President Peter Courtney said this before a crowd of executives, lobbyists and union members at the annual […]


January 26, 2016 - Who and why people move to Oregon

By Josh Lehner Oregon Office of Economic Analysis Blog This edition of the Graph of the Week continues our focus on migration into Oregon. Migration is very important to the state and one of the two main reasons Oregon outperforms the typical state during expansions. This also sets the stage […]


January 25, 2016 - Portland #1 for women owned start-ups

By Mercy Core NW Small business activity is on the rise across the country, according to a recent study by a prominent research foundation, and Portland, Oregon is at the top in two categories. The Kauffman Foundation, which looked at 40 metro areas across the United States, reports that Portland […]


January 22, 2016 - 2016 Outlook: Labor Participation, Middle-Wage Jobs

By Josh Lehner Oregon Office of Economic Analysis Blog Among the myriad economic trends to watch in 2016, two in particular stand out to me: labor force participation and middle-wage jobs. The reason is both have turned the corner in recent years — even if the conventional wisdom about them […]


January 20, 2016 - Federal budget deal includes Oregon tax breaks

By Oregon NFIB A new bill will benefit some alcohol producers in the state. A $680 billion tax package that Pres. Barack Obama recently signed into law made permanent or renewed more than 50 temporary tax breaks—some that benefit Oregon specifically. With many hard cider producers in Oregon, one of […]