by Eric Fruits, pH.D Oregon economist Econ-International Blog Gov. John Kitzhaber’s call for a rush-rush emergency session of the Legislature has succeeded in getting Oregonians to think again about their tax system. More important, it’s gotten us to think about how we tax our businesses and which ones we tax. […]

By Josh Lehner Oregon Office of Economic Analysis Blog.. Here is Oregon’s actual labor force over the past 10 years. Everything was going well until the Great Recession after which labor force growth stalled and held steady in outright numbers — which is to be expected — however since 2012 […]

By U.S. Chamber of Commerce A lawsuit by a driver who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and then sued a victim that he killed tops the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) survey of the Top Ten Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2012, released […]

Patrick Emerson PhD , OSU Economist Oregon Economics Blog One of the most important lessons economists try and teach new economics students is that costs are both monetary and non-monetary and that in economics costs include opportunity costs: the value of the next best thing you give up by choosing […]

KATU-2 News showcases the big success story of the local small business bread maker who just announced their giant expansion plans.

CNN-Money Magazine review the biggest business news stories of 2012

Randal O’Toole senior fellow at Cato Institute & author of Gridlock: Why We’re Stuck in Traffic and What to Do About It. San Antonio officials who believe an expensive streetcar line will promote mobility and economic development are doomed to disappointment. Streetcars are obsolete: they move slowly; are hazardous to […]

Portland foreclosure rates increase  Portland foreclosure rates rose to 2.74 percent, an increase of 0.18 percent compared to September 2011. The state’s rates rose to 3.12 percent, an increase of 0.15 percent. Nationwide, the foreclosure rates fell to 3.52 percent, a decrease of 0.27 percent. Oregon’s foreclosure recovery has lagged […]

Study reveals Portland-metro’s progress of economic recovery — Value of Jobs Coalition reports high productivity, job gains, but low median incomes Portland Business Alliance Business and civic leaders released the latest economic study of the Portland-metro area, examining how the region is performing compared the U.S. metro average and other […]

by Bill Conerly, Oregon economist Conerly Consulting, Businomics If you are a little skeptical about claims that spending more will spur the economy, listen to John Papola’s “Deck the Halls with Macro Follies” (hat tip to Russ Roberts at Cafe Hayek)