By Portland Metro Chamber, On July 11, the Portland Metro Chamber testified to express concerns for the implementation of Multnomah County’s drug addiction and deflection system. Jay Clark, director of Public Affairs, stressed that the Chamber supported HB 4002, which provided $25 million in state funding for a regional 24/7 […]

By National Retail Federation Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows modest retail sales gains in June despite an uneven pace of spending in recent months, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “The path of household spending remains difficult to read,” Kleinhenz said. “Spending has been uneven […]

By Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, The first increase in the DOL Overtime Final Rule is scheduled to take effect July 1 and increases the salary threshold to determine whether employees are exempt from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Provisions include: Standard Salary Threshold Increase: Effective […]

By Oregon Small Business Association Foundation, Nearly 60 percent of Americans struggle to vacation without checking work emails and working, according to a survey of 2,000 people by Movchan Agency. Although only 54 percent said they worked on vacation—down from nearly two-thirds in previous years—the numbers still indicate many workers […]

By NFIB, WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 4, 2024) – NFIB’s June jobs report found solid employment hiring plans among small business owners, but overall unsuccessful attempts to hire additional workers. A seasonally adjusted 37% of all small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in their current period, down […]

By Oregon Business and Industry The effort to develop rules for Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act continues to falter even as its operational date – July 1, 2025 – approaches. OBI has consistently pointed out problems with the program to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which is developing rules, […]

By Oregon U.S. Attorney Office Press Release, A Cottage Grove, Oregon woman was sentenced to federal prison for threatening violence against her coworkers on Facebook. Elizabeth Ballestros West, 56, was sentenced to six months and three weeks in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. According to court documents, in […]

By Oregon Small Business Association Foundation The Biden administration will divide $504 million among a dozen tech hubs throughout the country, but two Oregon State University hubs failed to make the cut. The money authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act aims to boost tech hubs outside traditional areas such […]

Washington State Man Faces Federal Charges for Damaging Two Portland Area Energy Facilities A federal grand jury in Portland has returned an indictment charging a Tacoma, Washington, man with damaging two Portland area energy facilities. By Oregon U.S. Attorney Press Release, Zachary Rosenthal, 33, has been charged with three counts […]

By NFIB, The U.S. Supreme Court recently wrapped up its 2023-2024 term and will be in recess until October 2024. During this term, the Court heard a number of cases that will have a significant impact on small businesses and the Main Street economy. NFIB filed amicus briefs in 12 […]