Where did all the workers go? By Oregon Small Business Association Foundation After Seattle imposed an historic minimum wage hike, employment has dropped, unemployment has risen, and workers have dropped out of the labor force. It is not the result proponents promised and it hints that the warnings from the […]

U.S. Chamber of Commerce The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today expressed strong opposition to the Department of Labor’s (DOL) issuance of its final “persuader” rule which will make it more difficult for employers to discuss with employees the pros and cons of unionization. “It is a shame that the DOL […]

 By Dr. Eric Fruits EconMinute Donald Trump launched his Presidential campaign in June 2015 with the insult heard ’round the world: When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing […]

Associated Oregon Industries Oregon’s largest business advocate Education Policy As Oregon’s high school graduation rate remains one of the lowest in the nation, the 2016 Legislature focused on a narrow set of issues that directly affect student success. SB 1537: Creates new limits on 5th year high school programs. The […]

By Josh Lehner Oregon Office of Economic Analysis Blog There is a three stage process for the labor market to return to normal, or at least normal dynamics. First jobs become more plentiful, then wages start to rise, and third individuals begin searching for jobs at higher rates. As such, […]

By Bullard Law, Portland law firm In the (fictional) mailbag today The Bullard Edge fields a question from a frustrated HR Manager who identifies himself only as Pat. He believes that he has grounds to terminate two employees, but is concerned about potential claims. We found his letter entertaining and […]

By NFIB President Obama on Wednesday formally nominated Merrick Garland, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to the U.S. Supreme Court. After studying his extensive record, the National Federation of Independent Business believes that Judge Garland would be a strong ally of […]

By Oregon Employment Department, We’ve been getting requests for median wage data by Oregon county. Here is what we have for the first quarter of 2015. Oregon’s median hourly wage was $18.02 during the first quarter of 2015. Six counties had median wages that were higher than the statewide median: […]

By Oregon Small Business Association, Former Portland Trailblazer Cliff Robinson fell afoul of the NBA’s anti-marijuana policy twice in his days as player for a marijuana-related DUI and failing a drug test. Now, he’s making headlines once again for pot. This time it’s as a businessman and an advocate for […]

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden Press Release, Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Al Franken, D-Minn., Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.,  led the charge to extend overtime pay to millions of Americans who are working long hours without fair pay. Last year, the Department of […]