From Stoel – World of Work by Tony DeCristoforo California law requires employers with five or more employees to provide pregnancy disability leave (PDL) to employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. New revisions to the PDL regulations have taken effect and include some notable substantive […]

University of Oregon Regional Economic Indexes By Tim Duy Oregon Economic Forum University of  Oregon Highlights of the report include: • Oregon economic indicators improved in December of 2012. The Oregon Measure of Economic Activity rose to -0.22, compared to a revised -0.76 in November. The three-month moving average improved […]

Small Businesses’ 2013 Legislative Wish List (Originally published in Salem Business Journal) By Jan Meekcoms Come bearing gifts. That’s probably a bit impolite to ask legislators wanting to attend the National Federation of Independent Business’s annual Small Business Day at the Capitol in Salem on April 11, but what a […]

CNN looks at the issue of California hitting $5 gas and why this is occurring here and not other places in America. Watch the video below.

By U.S. Chamber of Commerce Here are two items on immigration reform. First, a Gallup poll found that there’s significant public support for a number of pieces that could be part of comprehensive immigration reform: At least two-thirds of Americans favor each of five specific measures designed to address immigration […]

Columbia Sportswear Recall Business News Note: Portland-based, Columbia Sportswear has voluntarily recalled seven styles of heated jackets which were sold worldwide from May, 2012 to January, 2013 via major retailers, sporting or outdoor stores and ecommerce sites. The company reports a small number of jackets “may contain a heated inner […]

Tax Comparisons: Sales vs. Income By Josh Lehner Oregon Office of Economic Analysis Blog.   Over past 26 years (FY86 – FY12) Oregon’s personal income tax revenue has averaged 6.3% growth while Washington’s retail sales tax revenue has averaged 4.6%. However there is a clear risk-reward aspect to Oregon’s income […]

Report Finds Large Oregon Credit Unions Indistinguishable from Commercial Banks — Fewer, larger credit unions hold nearly 70% of combined industry assets and customers; pay executives over $1 million in annual compensation By Marvin Umholtz Umholtz Strategic Planning & Consulting, Washington  A report analyzing Oregon credit unions reveals an industry […]

By Oregon State Treasurer Oregonians are benefitting because of the state’s recent discipline when it comes to public debt, and a state advisory commission is urging lawmakers to keep embracing that cautious philosophy.The state’s solid credit rating has helped Oregon to better weather recent financial storms and also to save […]

Cynthia Magnuson, By NFIB Chief economist for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) William C. Dunkelberg, issued the following statement on the January job numbers, based on NFIB’s monthly economic survey that will be released on Tuesday, February 12, 2013. The survey was conducted in January and reflects the […]