José Pinomesa, President Oregon Independent Auto Dealers Association Gas prices are just under half of the all time high and hybrid vehicles are still not selling as fast as they use to.  The summer of 2008 was a time that I will never forget.  Hybrid vehicles brought the most money […]

By John Ledger Associated Oregon industries “Open Season” bill encourages lawsuits against agriculture, businesses, and forestry – local government immune.A late breaking bill in the Senate Judiciary committee, SB 962, would allow any person “adversely affected” by a “violation of a state environmental law (or any permit), or by the […]

By Bill Conerly, Businomics, Conerly Consulting Last week the market (as measured by the S&P 500) rose 10 percent.  Ten percent is a decent gain for an entire year.  (Yes, I know that we have some losses to make up, but that’s not the point).  The lesson from Mr. Market […]

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) issued this statement about allegations made by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). “The NAACP’s allegations are totally unfounded and reckless. We have never tolerated, and will never tolerate, discrimination in any way, shape or form in any of our business […]

By Barran Liebman, Electronic Alerts The EEOC issued proposed rules today that would implement Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (“GINA”), which prohibits the use of genetic information in employment decisions and extends Title VII-type protections to applicants, employees, and former employees with respect to genetic […]

Forbes Billionaire’s list diminishing, but the NW Microsoft triad remain strong The world’s richest have not escaped the reaches of the financial disasters of the past year. According to Forbes magazine there are 332 less billionaires, a 30% decline from one year ago. Their collective net worth is $2.4 trillion, […]

March Update – More Changes & Challenges For Employers By Dunn, Carney, Allen, Higgins & Tongue 1. Employee Free Choice Act 2. Oregon Senate Bill 519 – Limits Employer Free Speech 3. Retaliation Protection Expanded by the Courts 4. New Form I-9 Effective Date This year has been filled with […]

By Traci Scott, BIZ Reporter, U.S. warehouse clubs and discount retailers recently reported a mixed bag of sales results.  Shoppers looking to warehouse clubs for bargains on groceries contributed to increased food sales at both Costco Wholesale Corporation and BJ’s Wholesale Club, Incorporated, but both retailers reported sales of other […]

By: J.L. Wilson Associated Oregon Industries Oregon’s largest business organization The Oregon Legislature is poised once again to add to the burdens of Oregon employers who are already grappling with significant changes to family leave laws stemming from the 2007 Legislature and the federal government.  Oregon employers with 25 or […]

By Bill Conerly, Conerly Consulting LLC, Businomics, Last quarter was tough on banks.  All the details are in the FDIC’s Quarterly Banking Profile.  Here are some highlights: