June 3, 2009 - Oregon Index: Labor soft. Housing weak. Tourism mixed.
Timothy Duy Director, Oregon Economic Forum The PMBI tumbled 6% compared to the final quarter of 2008, and is down 16.4% from year ago levels. Highlights of the report include: • Labor markets remain soft. Initial unemployment claims continued to climb during the quarter, while help wanted advertising declined. The […]
June 3, 2009 - Car Sales fall 20-47% since last year.
June 2, 2009 - Employer gag bill returns in Oregon Senate
Senate Democrats to Bring Back the Likely Unconstitutional “Employer Gag Bill” By J.L. Wilson Associated Oregon Industries Oregon’s largest business lobby SB 519 will again be brought to the Senate Floor for a vote. Right on the heels of twisting enough arms to pass a massive extension on product liability […]
June 2, 2009 - $200,000 in 1976 equals $700,000 today
June 1, 2009 - The Unemployment Rate and State and Local Economic Policy
By Bill Conerly, Businomics, Conerly Consulting, My friends are telling me I’m an idiot. I was quoted in the local newspaper last week saying that our high unemployment rate was a bit of a mystery. Both friends and strangers have told me that it’s simple: our state has high unemployment […]
May 31, 2009 - Update: Safe Harbor 401k, Union Pensions, Obama Health Care
Barran Liebman LLP Electronic Alert 1. IRS Relaxes Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan Restrictions 2. Union Pension Plans May Require Increased Employer Contributions 3. New Details on Obama’s Healthcare Proposal Three important developments require attention by employers sponsoring retirement and health plans for their employees.
May 30, 2009 - PMAR: 8,000 Reasons to Purchase Your First Home
Kathy Querin, PMAR Chief Executive Officer: Portland, Ore. — If you’re thinking about purchasing your first home, have good credit, and can afford a mortgage payment, but have been sitting on the fence, wondering when to make your move, there are 8,000 reasons that may push you right off to […]
May 29, 2009 - Providence tops digital records. Praise and caution.
Oregon Small Business Association, The push for digital medical records, fueled by $19 billion from the federal stimulus package, would completely change the way doctors prescribe and practice medicine—by digitizing the entire medical record-keeping process. Backers say such technology will cut costs and save lives. But a growing body of […]
May 29, 2009 - Consumer Confidence: A Very Positive Economic Sign
By Bill Conerly, Businomics, Conerly Consulting LLC, Today’s report on consumer confidence lends credence to economic forecasts that call for a recovery soon.