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June 3, 2021 - Oregon job gains by region

By Oregon Employment Department, In April 2021, 19 out of 36 of Oregon’s counties experienced over-the-month increases in their unemployment rates. Curry and Morrow counties saw the largest over-the-month increase at 0.3 percentage points each in April. Nine counties experienced decreases in their unemployment rates over the month, and eight […]


June 2, 2021 - 7 ways for the states to revive restaurants

By Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association National Restaurant Association Provides State and Local Lawmakers Blueprint for Rebuilding Blueprint includes funded and unfunded tools to accelerate the industry’s economic recovery The National Restaurant Association today sent a State and Local Blueprint for Rebuilding to the National Governors Association, the United States […]


June 1, 2021 - Oregon paid family leave expanded

By Oregon Small Business Association Business owners must provide workers with paid leave during a public health crisis if schools or child care centers close under a bill recently passed by the Oregon Senate 22 to 7. House Bill 2474 expands the Oregon Family Leave Act and reduces the number […]


May 28, 2021 - Save Local Business Act fixes joint employer rule

By NFIB, The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) sent a letter of support to the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives supporting the Save Local Business Act, which will provide certainty for small businesses concerning the joint employer standard. “Returning to a ‘direct-control’ joint employer standard will […]


May 27, 2021 - OHSA reverses workplace rule on recording vaccination reaction

OSHA Reverses Guidance on Recording Adverse Reactions to COVID-19 Vaccination By Wilson Jarrell Barran Liebman Law The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently updated its guidance on when employers need to record adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines. In a reversal of the guidance it issued back in April (which […]


May 26, 2021 - Lawmakers eye taxing PPP business loans

By Oregon Small Business Association, Yesterday in the Oregon Senate Revenue and Finance Committee, lawmakers heard testimony on Senate Bill 137-2 which would have the effect of placing a tax on the forgiven PPP loans created by Congress to help Oregon small businesses.  The tax would apply to all loans […]


May 25, 2021 - Washington’s long-term care payroll tax closer to starting

By Heather J. Van Meter Bullard law, Washington state recently passed the Long-Term Care Act, creating a new employee payroll tax of 0.58% on employee income. SB 1323 was signed into law late last month, and it amends RCW 50B.04 to create the country’s first state-run long-term care trust fund. […]


May 24, 2021 - Oregon job hires slows to a grind

By Oregon Employment Department, Hiring in Oregon slowed significantly in April. Total nonfarm payrolls added 2,200 jobs, following a revised gain of 19,600 in March. Oregon’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.0%. Job growth also slowed nationwide in April, and the U.S. unemployment rate was 6.1%. Oregon has regained 59% […]


May 21, 2021 - Small business wins case challenging IRS

By NFIB, NFIB commends the United States Supreme Court decision in CIC Services v. Internal Revenue Service today which clarified that the Anti-Injunction Act’s scope is limited and permits pre-enforcement judicial review of tax rules. This is a win for small business owners who can now challenge tax regulations they […]


May 20, 2021 - OHA updates Oregon mask policy for business

Oregon Health Authority Issues Revised Masks Guidance Statewide, Adjusted for Vaccinated People By Heather J. Van Meter Bullard Law, Oregon law firm The Oregon Health Authority issued its revised guidance for the use of face masks, face coverings, or face shields (“masking requirement”) in light of the U.S. Centers for […]