Archives

December 23, 2020 - How COVID is changing our buying habits

    By Josh Lehner, Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, OK, this was fun. Willamette Week is out with a set of articles highlighting some of the sectors of the economy that are doing quite well this year, despite the pandemic and recession. My hat’s off the Aaron Mesh and […]


December 22, 2020 - Craft Beverage Modernization & Tax Reform Act

Oregon Brewers Guild Please join the Brewers Association, state Guilds, breweries, trade partners, and craft beer lovers across the country today in supporting a national Day of Action to urge Congress to pass the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) and make the current federal excise tax rates […]


December 21, 2020 - Oregon Adds 4,200 Jobs in November

By Oregon Employment Department, Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.0% in November from 6.8%, as revised, in October. This put Oregon’s rate below the U.S. unemployment rate which dropped to 6.7% in November from 6.9% in October. “On Nov. 18th, Oregon implemented a ‘freeze’ to combat the rise of COVID-19 […]


December 18, 2020 - US Chamber on current pandemic legislation

U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley issued the following statement on the pandemic relief legislation negotiations. “The Chamber applauds Senators Portman and Manchin for producing a truly bipartisan compromise that would provide temporary and targeted liability protections for businesses, […]


December 17, 2020 - Signs of a robust 2021 Oregon economy

Tim Duy University of Oregon State of Oregon Economic Indicators Oregon’s economy regained momentum in October revealing its underlying strength but still faces a challenging winter. Highlights of the report include: • The Oregon Measure of Economic Activity rose to 1.2 in October from an upwardly revised -0.06 in September. […]


December 16, 2020 - NFIB unveils business survey results

By Oregon NFIB, Oregon Response to Poll of Small-Business Owners The Legislature needs to embrace and supplement congressional initiatives SALEM, Ore., Dec. 15, 2020—From Anthony Smith, Oregon state director for NFIB, which released the latest poll of its small-business-owning membership today. “Unfortunately, our worries have become reality as COVID-19 case […]


December 15, 2020 - Legalizing to-go cocktails

By Cascade Policy Institute, Do you want to enjoy a drink but don’t feel safe sitting in a bar? If you live in one of the many states that have allowed “cocktails to-go” since the beginning of the pandemic (including our neighbors in California, Washington, and Idaho), you’re in luck! […]


December 14, 2020 - Three frontline Battles to Save Hospitality Businesses

Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, ORLA is anticipating the announcement of a third special session of the Oregon Legislature very soon and the session will most likely take place this coming week before the holidays are upon us. Your state association is keenly aware your ability to stay in business […]


December 11, 2020 - 71% experiencing building material shortages

By U.S. Chamber of Commerce, More contractors are facing a shortage of building materials as the pandemic continues, according to new fourth quarter data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index (Index). This quarter, 41% of contractors say less availability of building products and materials is a severe consequence of […]


December 10, 2020 - COVID-19 Job Losses by Sector

By Oregon Employment Department, During the spring implementation of health and safety measures related to COVID-19, Oregon lost one out of every seven nonfarm payroll jobs. The loss of 285,000 jobs (-14.5%) in March and April was both stunning and unparalleled. By October, Oregon had regained nearly half (132,000 or […]