Business Report News Note: The good news is that Washington added 3,100 jobs helping the unemployment rate to drop for the fourth consecutive month (see report here).  The bad news is that Oregon unemployment rate has been unchanged for nearly nine months. Oregon’s Employment Situation: July 2010 By Oregon Employment […]

Look who wants to give Washington state an income tax. Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, 8-14-2010 The battle between taxpayers and government unions will define the fiscal future of the 50 states, and the newest battlefield is Washington state. That’s where a few rich taxpayers led by Bill Gates Sr. […]

As State drowns in projected deficits, the soda tax looks alluring By Oregon Tax News The Oregon Public Health Division is working on legislation to enact a tax on sweetened beverages.    This would include many sodas and other sweetened drinks like Gatorade and ice tea drinks.  The cost of a […]

Regaining America’s Competitive Advantage: Making our Immigration System Work Executive Summary By U.S. Chamber of Commerce ..The analysis in “Regaining America’s Competitive Advantage: Making Our Immigration System Work,” released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Council on International Personnel (ACIP), takes a balanced approach to employment-based immigration. […]

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).