January 27, 2009 - Fast Fact: McDonald’s score 80% profit rise in 2008
McDonald’s announced on Monday their net profit rose 80% in 2008 and daily average customers hit 56 million. Link.
January 27, 2009 - Two flaws challenge Governor’s mileage tax
By Ken Niezgoda, BIZ Reporter Oregon’s plan to tax drivers based on road use contains the fundamental flaw it attempts to remove: Tax collection that is linked to gas consumption. As more fuel efficient vehicles hit the road, Oregon’s ability to collect taxes to maintain its multi-billion dollar transportation infrastructure […]
January 26, 2009 - Fast Fact: Home construction down 15%, permits down 10%
The National Association of Home Builders reported in their confidence survey that new multi-family and single home construction fell 15.5% in December from November, and residential construction permits fell over 10%.
January 26, 2009 - Construction Outlook Gloomy According to Architectural Activity
By Bill Conerly, Businomics, Conerly Consulting Non-residential construction has been a bright spot in the economy. It dipped last summer, but recovered in the past few months. The bad news, though, is that architectural activity suggests another round of declines for construction. After all, the architect works before the contractor […]
January 24, 2009 - In Their own words: OHSU and the cutbacks
By Oregon Health Science University, In response to these challenges, OHSU is reducing costs by $30 million to $35 million for the current financial year. OHSU President Joe Robertson, M.D., M.B.A. today provided an update on OHSU’s efforts to respond to the global economic downturn. The downturn has impacted the […]
January 23, 2009 - Retail legislation only an economist would love
By Dr. Eric Fruits, EconInternational, Oregon HB 2388 is an economists dream. It requires a city or county to obtain and review a “comprehensive economic impact study” before approving or disapproving an application to construct a retail facility larger than 75,000 square feet. It also requires that the store pay […]
January 22, 2009 - Interview with businessman and lawmaker Scott Bruun
By Aaron Crowley, Oregon Small Business Association Scott Bruun is not your typical business owner or Oregon State Representative. He is one of only a handful of citizen legislators serving in Salem who owns and operates a business enterprise. This business experience brings a much needed perspective to the capital […]
January 22, 2009 - Oregon’s New Meal and Rest Period Rules
Dunn, Carney, Allen, Higgins and Tongue Attorneys at Law, Portland eAlerts, 1/21/09 As you may recall, the Oregon Supreme Court decided earlier this year that employees could not bring wage claims against employers for a missed rest period (click here for the article). In response, the Oregon Bureau of Labor […]
January 21, 2009 - As Legislature Convenes, Business Community Forms Alliance on Key Issues
J.L. Wilson Associated Oregon Industries In the week prior to the start of the 2009 Oregon Legislature, AOI convened a “summit” of Oregon’s leading business associations to talk strategically about the session’s major business issues. Coming out of that meeting was a dedication to working together under the banner of […]
January 20, 2009 - First bank in Washington closes since 1993
Department Of Financial Institutions Closes Bank Of Clark County In Vancouver, Wash. Umpqua Bank Will Be New Owner Bank of Clark County will reopen Tuesday — with minimal disruption of service throughout this holiday weekend — under new ownership with Umpqua Bank of Roseburg, Ore. Department Of Financial Institutions Release […]