By Bill Conerly, Businomics, Conerly Consulting Following up on this post, I’ve posted a video explanation of the role that consumer spending will play in the recovery from the current recession.

1. What is the name of the Illinois Senator(?) who was picked by Gov. Blogojevich and halted from taking his seat in the Senate this week? 2. Despite the recession, What product saw sales rise 20% beyond expectations in 2008? A) Netbook computers B) Online music sales C) iPhones D) […]

By Dr. Eric Fruits, Econinternational In February 2008, the Oregonian’s website had a posting with the title: “Business energy tax credits going bonkers.” What was meant by “bonkers” was Oregon’s Legislative Revenue Office projections that tax breaks under the Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) program would cost the state $80 […]

By Alyssa Williams, With an unsteady U.S. job market, the $250 million annual revenue in India from legal outsourcing as reported by The Wall Street Journal could concern many Americans. However, Sanjiv Kripalani, Manager of Client Services and Development at Stoel Rives LLP, believes the poor economy, which may have […]

By Ken Niezgoda, BIZ Reporter Hiring remains strong in several Portland area industries, even as recession grips the region. The health care industry continues to hire despite state unemployment rates that have exceeded eight percent. However, the industry is hiring more than just medical professionals. Administrative staff, IT, and other […]

By Bill Conerly, Businomics, Conerly Consulting LLC Income and spending are both down, and it seems obvious that the one would lead to the other.  But which one leads to the other?  It’s not so simple.  Let’s look at the data.  (I only show the latest months, after the effect […]

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA US Department of Labor — In the week ending Dec. 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 492,000, a decrease of 94,000 from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 586,000. The 4-week moving average was 552,250, a decrease of […]

By Oregon Health Science University, Four companies were formed in fiscal year 2008 dedicated to translating discoveries by Oregon Health & Science University researchers into commercially viable products and services, the university’s Office of Technology and Research Collaborations disclosed today. This brings to 37 the number of OHSU startups incorporated […]

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By Dr. Eric Fruits Econinternational The Oregonian recenty reported that Portland’s newest commuter rail project, known as WES, will be about $34 million (25 percent) over budget. The latest estimates put construction costs at $166 million. The newspaper also reports that the rail project is designed to carry 4,000 passengers […]