Archives

July 6, 2021 - Session ends with big wins for business

By Karen Vineyard, chair, OBI Board of Directors When the legislative session began back in January – amid a global pandemic that had shuttered schools and broken businesses, a nationwide reckoning with racial injustice and with thousands of Oregonians still displaced from autumn wildfires – we knew it was going […]


July 5, 2021 - Oregon 12th state to pass CROWN act

By Julie Preciado & Blayne Soleymani-Pearson Barran Liebman Law Oregon law firm On June 11, Governor Brown signed into law Oregon’s version of the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (“CROWN”) Act.” Oregon is the 12th state to adopt such a law since 2019. The CROWN Act […]


July 2, 2021 - NFIB: Court protects private donations

By NFIB, NFIB applauds today’s decision from the United States Supreme Court in the case Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta, which defends the right of private individuals to anonymously donate to nonprofit organizations. NFIB filed an amicus brief in the case arguing compelled disclosure of a nonprofit organization’s donors […]


July 1, 2021 - WA Gov. changes course, maskless only for vaccinated

Gov. Inslee Changes Course in Washington, Unmasking Only for Vaccinated Persons; Oregon and Washington Revised Requirements Begin Today By Heather J. Van Meter Bullard Law Washington Update Late on June 29, Washington Gov. Inslee reversed course and will only permit the general public to go without masks if they are […]


June 30, 2021 - People aren’t buying electric vehicles

By John Charles Cascade Policy Institute President Biden is proposing to spend $174 billion subsidizing the electric vehicle (EV) industry as part of his American Jobs Plan. His ultimate goal is to eliminate the vehicles most of us use today, powered by gasoline or diesel fuel. As he said recently […]


June 29, 2021 - Oregon Jobless rates by county

By Oregon Employment Department, May 2021 Employment and Unemployment in Oregon’s Counties In May 2021, 19 out of 36 of Oregon’s counties experienced over-the-month decreases in their unemployment rates. Nine counties experienced increases in their unemployment rates over the month, and eight counties experienced no change in their unemployment rates. […]


June 28, 2021 - It will take years to build back what was lost

Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, The announcement from Governor Kate Brown announcing a full reopening of Oregon’s economy no later than Wednesday, June 30 is welcome news. Our state’s restaurant and lodging establishments have a long road ahead as small businesses continue the hard work of regaining their footing after […]


June 25, 2021 - Employers win victory over union encroachment

By NFIB, The decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in the case Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid affirms that small businesses have dominion over their private property and the right to exclude union organizers. “We are pleased to see the Supreme Court once again protect the property rights of America’s […]


June 24, 2021 - 2021 Business awards, Black Economic Prosperity launch

By Portland Business Alliance, Hundreds of business and civic leaders, gathered to recognize the important partnerships formed after a challenging year at our 2021 Annual Meeting, presented by U.S. Bank. This hybrid event, hosted via livestream with a small live gathering at McMenamin’s Edgefield, honored volunteers and community leaders who […]


June 23, 2021 - Jobless push desperate employers to jack up wages to record levels

By Oregon Small Business Association, Employers are desperate for employees, and workers know it. There is rush to rejoin the workforce since Biden extended the $1,200/month jobless bonus effectively paying people more to stay home rather than work. The average wage being requested on job search websites by has risen […]