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February 21, 2023 - $11.4 million in federal relief secured for Oregon’s hospitality industry

ORLA helps secure over $11.4 million in federal relief for Oregon’s hospitality industry By Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Partners with Adesso Capital to Expedite Cash Assistance for Oregon’s Foodservice and Lodging Industry [Wilsonville, OR – 2/13/23] – The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association […]


February 20, 2023 - Capital Gains Tax to Defend Tenants Facing Eviction on May Ballot

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation In May, voters in Multnomah County will vote on implementing an adjustable 0.75% capital gains tax to provide free lawyers to tenants being evicted. Portland and Multnomah County already subsidize legal defense for low-income renters facing eviction. Backers needed 22,686 valid signatures to qualify […]


February 17, 2023 - Bill to combat Organized Retail Crime

National Retail Federation The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French after the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023 was introduced in the U.S. House. “Organized retail crime remains a persistent threat to the retail industry, accounting for more than $94.5 […]


February 16, 2023 - Labor Issues Guidance on Telework, FMLA & FLSA Compliance

By Alysha Phelps Barran Liebman LLP On February 9, 2023, the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (“DOL”) published an opinion letter and a field assistance bulletin concerning the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”). The DOL opinion letter clarifies […]


February 15, 2023 - Auto Sales Expected to be Worst Since 2011

By Oregon Small Business Association Foundation Supply chain issues and lower demand as a result of higher prices and interest rates made 2022 the worst year for new car sales since 2011, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates. When automakers report their full year sales next week, the number should […]


February 14, 2023 - The state of our hotels

By Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, [From the desk of Chip Rogers, President & CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association]Today, AHLA released its 2023 State of the Hotel Industry report. The report forecasts that the hotel industry in 2023 will surpass pre-pandemic levels of demand, nominal room revenue and state […]


February 13, 2023 - Legislature looks at enterprise zones

By Oregon Business and Industry The Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue heard a pair of bills Feb. 6 that would keep key enterprise zone programs alive until at least 2032. Senate Bill 134 would extend the state’s primary enterprise zone program, and Senate Bill 135 would extend Oregon’s rural […]


February 10, 2023 - Recession is unlikely in 2023

National Retail Federation, A recession is unlikely and the economy is expected to see slight growth in 2023 as consumers continue to cope with inflation and high interest rates, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today. “A month into 2023, the economy is facing stiff headwinds and – […]


February 8, 2023 - What’s driving Downtown Portland demand

By Oregon Small Business Association Foundation There are three basic sources of demands for downtowns: downtown residents, commuters, and visitors from the suburbs or out-of-town. Commuter demand declined significantly in Portland (see Oregonians Working from Home). Many downtown Portland businesses relied on the lunch or after work crowds for a […]


February 7, 2023 - Real estate scam fugitive caught after decades

By Oregon US Attorney Press Release, SAN DIEGO—On January 26, 2023, a California man who evaded federal authorities for more than two decades after being convicted at trial and who was wanted in District of Oregon for perpetrating a real estate scam while a fugitive pleaded guilty in San Diego. […]