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. […]

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% […]

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 […]

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 […]

By Anthony K. Smith Oregon NFIB, Oregon lawmakers have less than two months left to complete the work of the 2021 legislative session, and while legislation was moving slowly during the first half of the session, the pace has picked up significantly in recent weeks with many bills passing in […]

By Oregon Business Industry, Gov. Brown announced on May 11 that she will fully reopen the state once the vaccine rate (adults 16+ with the first dose) hits 70% statewide. “Fully reopen” means risk levels will be eliminated, and businesses can return to normal operations, although mask and distancing requirements […]

By By Peter S. Hicks Jordan Ramis Law, Oregon law firm Effective May 11, 2021, the Oregon Health Authority (“OHA”) has issued revised Reopening Guidance regarding the continued use of masks, face coverings, and face shields. Significantly, this revised Reopening Guidance eliminates the requirements for masks, face coverings, or face […]

By NFIB, The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 99.8 in April, an increase of 1.6 points from March. The Optimism Index has increased 4.8 points over the past three months since January but a record 44% of owners reported job openings that could not be filled. “Small business […]

(photo: METRO building) Metro Council Resolution No. 21-5171 County’s current plan squanders millions of dollars with no accountability or measures of success By Cascade Policy Institute, Metro will consider a resolution approving Multnomah County’s plan to spend $52 million over the next year to address homelessness in the county. Cascade […]

By Heather J. Van Meter Barran Liebman LLP Oregon law firm, The Oregon Court of Appeals held on May 5, 2021, that anyone could be sued and held liable for “aiding and abetting” unlawful employment practices, not just employers or employees, as the federal court in Oregon had consistently previously […]