New Laws Add to Employer’s Challenges in the New Year By Dunn, Carney, Allen, Higgins & Tongue In January 2010, Oregon employers will be taking on several new challenges thanks to a host of new or expanded laws enacted by the Oregon Legislature.  Dunn Carney’s Employment & Labor Team is […]

It Could Happen: Oregon’s Attorney General Announces Environmental Crimes Enforcement Unit By Christopher Rycewicz, Brian T. Sniffen Miller Nash LLP, Oregon and Washington Law Firm After less than one year on the job, Oregon Attorney General John Kroger appears close to fulfilling one of his campaign promises: increased prosecution of […]

By Wells Fargo Bank, Faced with an uncertain economy, some business owners are re-evaluating their use of technology. The latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index, surveyed October 5-9, shows over half of respondents (58 percent) reporting that they have delayed technology purchases due to the economy, including purchases of new […]

Treasurer Westlund seeks more transparency for investors about climate risks to companies By Oregon State Treasurer Ben Westlund, SALEM – In life and investing, there’s a truism that “What you don’t know can hurt you.” Oregon State Treasurer Ben Westlund is asking the Securities and Exchange Commission to reduce that […]

Holiday shoppers will get an early start this year whether they are ready or not.  Retail giants have embarked on an advertising spending spree in an attempt to lure bargain shoppers to their stores earlier this year, signaling the economy may be on the rebound. Target, Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Gap […]

by Jessica Nelson Oregon Employment Department The number of working poor in the United States increased slightly between 2006 and 2007. The working poor are individuals who were in the labor force for at least 27 weeks during the year, but still had incomes below the official poverty level. About […]

By Bill Conerly, Businomics, Conerly Consulting, This recession has shaken people up, but what will be the lasting effects on consumer behavior?  That’s one of the key questions as we look forward at the nature of the recovery.  I’ve been arguing for a “return to normalcy,” in which people will […]

The latest consumer products that are being caught up in the regulatory spotlight are flat screen TVs, rum, and raw oysters. Flat screen TVs In California, the California Energy Commission (CEC) is considering new efficiency standards for television screens smaller than 58 inches.  If adopted, TVs sold in the state […]

Washington Domestic Partnership Law Impacts Employee Benefits and Family Leave by Dennis Westlind Stoel Rives LLP, Attorneys at Law Washington voters recently approved Referendum 71, giving registered domestic partners all of the rights and responsibilities of married couples under Washington state law. Prior domestic partnership laws gave registered domestic partners […]

By Kylene Fickenscher Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Stephanie Stano, founder of Recycle Your Mat, and Zenana Rose of Zenana Spa are developing successful businesses within a specific niche market. By delivering innovative ideas to an untapped market, and supplementing their products with strong connections to the community, these women have developed […]