SNL Fans Prepare for ‘Portlandia’ By Independent Film Channel IFC has greenlit “Portlandia,” an original comedy series that lovingly skewers illustrates the people and values of Portland, Ore. We’re guessing a lot of recycling, rain gear, and coffee drinking will be happening.  Fred Armisen of “Saturday Night Live” fame and […]

The New Fed Policy: Better Than Nothing By Bill Conerly, Conerly Consulting, Businomics The Fed’s decision today was mildly good news in terms of 1. the Fed’s understanding of the sluggishness of the economy, and 2. the small change in policy. For those of  you into original sources, here is […]

6 keys to Starbucks record-breaking rebound By Oregon Small Business Association In July, Starbucks announced record earnings during the third quarter as U.S. sales rose 9%. The Seattle Coffee Giant participated in new marketing strategies to spur the record comeback that reduce the elitist view of $4 coffee drinks and […]

By Patrick Emerson Oregon Economics Blog Having lived many years in the Bay Area, where all of the bay bridges are tolled, and in the midwest, where all of the freeways around Chicago are tolled, the idea that tolling the I-5 bridge would cause so much controversy is amusing to […]

AOI Speaks up for Oregon Business on Critical Federal Issues By  J.L. Wilson Associated Oregon Industries Oregon’s largest business lobby New federal law would make OSHA more punitive; Senate defeats anti-business campaign finance law Before federal lawmakers headed off to their August recess, they considered two pieces of legislation critical […]

Miller Nash LLP, Oregon and Washington Law Firm During the last legislative session, the Washington legislature made some significant changes to Washington’s tax system. This review highlights and briefly discusses some of the most significant updates. 1. Corporate Directors Subject to Tax on Compensation (effective July 1, 2010).

Where Are the Construction Workers Now? Oregon Employment Department, Between 2001 and 2007, Oregon saw a dramatic increase in employment in all sectors of the construction industry. In just seven years, construction employment grew 29 percent. Over the same time period, total nonfarm payroll employment in the state grew about […]

National Federation of Independent Business NFIB/Louisiana member Pat Felder, owner of Felder’s Collision Parts in Baton Rouge, made her voice heard during a press conference on Aug. 4 addressing concerns over future tax increases and new tax reporting paperwork burdens in the healthcare law. Felder, along with representatives from NFIB, […]

Business and labor come together to ensure housing and family-wage jobs are top priority – Portland Business Alliance Portland, Ore. —Business and labor organizations joined together in their concern for the Portland metropolitan region’s ability to house and employ current and future residents. The organizations filed comments with the State […]

By Tim Duy, Oregon Economic Forum sponsor, KeyBank. The University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators™ fell 0.6% to 87.5 (1997=100) from a revised May figure of 88.0.  This is the second consecutive decline.  Further declines in Oregon employment services payrolls and the interest rate spread drove June’s decline, with […]