By Oregon Employment Department, Our latest quarterly job vacancy survey results show Oregon businesses reported 52,300 job vacancies in fall 2016. That’s an increase of 7,400 job vacancies compared with the prior fall. The job vacancy numbers reflect continued, strong employment growth in the state. This fall the 2-to-1 ratio […]

By Fred Thompson, Oregon Economics Blog With the start of another legislative session, calls for wholesale tax reform are again being heard. Frankly, most state tax-policy specialists are dubious of big reforms. My Georgia State University colleague, Carolyn Bourdeaux, for example, boils the typical reform process down to the following […]

by Ralph Cole, CFA Executive Vice President of Research Ferguson Wellman, A leading Oregon financial firm January 13th — After rallying into the end of 2016, both interest rates and the stock market took a little breather this week. The S&P 500 finished the week basically flat, while the yield […]

Oregon Congressman Greg Walden, Committed to growing the economy and protecting small businesses in Oregon, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) supported bills passed by the House this week to rein in costly, burdensome, and overreaching federal regulations. Below is a transcript from Walden’s video release applauding the legislation: “Regulations […]

By Oregon Prosperity Project, Roads and bridges don’t deteriorate because taxpayers or politicians like bumpy rides and traffic congestion. Existing infrastructure gets neglected and future needs ignored because citizens and the elected officials can’t agree on priorities and how to pay for projects. Will 2017 be the year that a […]

Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio, In a press conference today led by Rep. Peter DeFazio and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, a coalition of congressmen and organizations called on President-elect Trump to begin renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) within his first hundred days of taking office. The group […]

Oregon Restaurant Association Newsletter Excerpt We know there are real issues on the horizon in Salem and we will not be able to be effective without your engagement and commitment to stay educated as priorities emerge. Front and center will be paid family leave legislation and restrictive scheduling laws that […]

 by Jason Norris, CFA Executive Vice President of Research Ferguson Wellman, A leading Oregon financial firm The Friday jobs report was slightly on the light side with December payrolls coming in at 156,000, which was 19,000 below economist’s estimates. Positively, the previous two months showed 19,000 in upward revisions. However, […]

By U.S. Chamber Foundation Election time has a long and troubled history with half-truths and counter-factual arguments, none more so recently than with trade. While the President of the United States is seeking approval for the largest trade pact in our nation’s history—the Trans-Pacific Partnership—nominees from both parties disparage our […]

Oregon Congressman Greg Walden, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) predicted swift action on growing jobs, fixing health care, and doing away with excessive federal regulations as the new session of Congress convenes today. “I’m excited about the new session of Congress kicking-off today,” said Walden in a video message. […]