|
Oregon News
POLITICS
Oregonians tell Governor Kotek high costs, taxes are holding back business growth
KATU | By Vasili Varlamos
A new statewide survey of Oregonians shows a clear and consistent message: many believe high costs, taxes, and regulations are making it harder for businesses to grow.
The feedback comes from more than 1,000 responses collected through the Governor’s Prosperity Council survey. The results were made available on April 7.
What Oregonians told Gov. Tina Kotek's council to make business better
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
Gov. Tina Kotek's Prosperity Council should lessen tax burdens and regulations on businesses and get rid of Oregon's Climate Protection Program, respondents to a recent survey said.
More than 1,000 people took the survey to give suggestions to the council, the results of which were made available April 7.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signs bill easing permits for farm stores, tours and events
KATU
A bill aimed at helping Oregon farmers grow their businesses with easier permits for things like small stores, offering tours, and hosting other activities was signed into law on Wednesday.
New report puts outstanding Oregon criminal court sanctions at more than $1B
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
The report, spearheaded by leading criminal justice reform advocates in the state, urges state leaders to work toward eliminating all fines and fees in the criminal court system.
Attorney claims former OHSU hospital executive raised patient safety concerns before he was fired
OPB | By Amelia Templeton
Tarek Salaway is being represented by attorney Jackie Ford.
In a statement emailed to OPB, Ford said during his brief tenure, Mr. Salaway had raised concerns related to patient safety, institutional stewardship and aspects of the workplace climate, including concerns about equity and inclusion.
‘No excess funding’: Clackamas, Washington counties reject Mayor Wilson’s homeless shelter plea
KOIN 6 | By Anthony Kustura
Millions of dollars in homeless shelter funding were denied on Tuesday night as Washington and Clackamas counties both rejected Portland Mayor Keith Wilson’s request for shelter money.
Now, the city is scrambling to cover a growing shortfall.
“There is no excess funding. There is no surplus funding,” said Washington County Commissioner At Large Kathryn Harrington.
County commissioners strongly reacted to Wilson’s bold ask for homeless shelter funding. Wilson was requesting $6 million from Washington County and $4 million from Clackamas County.
‘OPB Politics Now’: Why Portland’s mayor and Multnomah County disagree on homelessness data
OPB | By Alex Zielinski, Lauren Dake, Andrew Theen
We are going to explain why once again officials from city of Portland and Multnomah County disagree and why the effort to quantify who is without housing is so fraught.
Portland City Council approves tax relief to thousands of small businesses
KGW | By Alex Jensen
Portland City Council voted Wednesday to approve changes for the city’s business license tax that could offer savings to thousands of businesses.
Portland's business license tax is 2.6% of net income; standalone, it's not the highest in the country. But, Portland business must also pay an additional 2% business income tax for Multnomah County, along with other local taxes. Stacked all together, Portland has a tax burden among the highest in the U.S. for businesses.
Under the proposal, some of Portland's small businesses will now be exempt from paying the business license tax. It raises the exemption level on gross receipts — the total amount a business makes before any costs, expenses or taxes are taken out — from $50,000 to $75,000 beginning in tax year 2026.
This would give upwards of 5,800 businesses $1.2 million in total tax relief, translating to an average saving of $207 each, according to the amended ordinance.
Portland pushes rent aid, eviction defense and new housing in $56M proposal
The Oregonian | By Jonathan Bach
Portland councilors on Tuesday unanimously advanced out of committee a $56 million funding proposal that would prioritize rent assistance, legal aid for tenants facing eviction and new housing development.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Oregon has nation's highest income tax rate for 2026. By how much?
Statesman Journal | By Ginnie Sandoval
Oregon has the highest income tax rate in the United States, which means Oregonians who earn $200,000 take home less than similarly paid workers across the rest of the country, a recent study found.
Portland business shutting down, 106 employees laid off
KOIN 6 | By Amanda Rhoades
Another employer is permanently shuttering its Portland location and laying off employees.
Direct Marketing Solutions will close its Portland production facility and lay off 106 employees, according to a worker adjustment notice filed Monday.
Investment firm becomes latest business to decamp difficult downtown Portland corridor
The Oregonian | By Jonathan Bach
Investment firm Charles Schwab told customers it will leave its downtown Portland branch in June, according to an email obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive, becoming the latest business to depart Southwest Morrison Street.
A company spokesperson on Tuesday confirmed plans to relocate to a new Slabtown branch and open another location in Lake Oswego.
Owner of tower with Ritz-Carlton will pay Portland millions under new deal, records show
The Oregonian | By Jonathan Bach
The city of Portland has struck a deal with the new owners of the Block 216 tower, known for its Ritz-Carlton hotel and condos, to pay an approximately $7.8 million fee after its prior owner declined to put affordable housing units in the building, The Oregonian/OregonLive has learned.
Oregon gas average hits $5 as oil shortage fears grow
The Oregonian | By Veronica Nocera
After weeks of watching fuel prices tick steadily upward, the average cost of gas in Oregon officially hit $5 per gallon on Tuesday.
EDUCATION
Oregon Opportunity Grant remains key access point for low-income college students
OPB | By Tiffany Camhi
Oregon’s largest need-based financial aid program for college students continues to break down cost-barriers for low-income and underrepresented communities.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Oregon court reverses billion dollar wildfire verdict against PacifiCorp
Statesman Journal | By Zach Urness
In a seismic court decision issued April 8, the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed a sweeping verdict that found PacifiCorp negligent in four of the 2020 Labor Day Fires that resulted in billions in awards to wildfire survivors.
Severe drought impacting Oregon farmers as temperatures rise
OPB | By Malya Fass
Historically low snowpack and drought in the West this year have brought a myriad of complications for the agricultural industry. As irrigation season begins, this winter’s drought and record-high temperatures are creating a stark reality for Oregon’s farmers, ranchers and water managers as they look to the coming summer.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Oregon state employee arrested on suspicion of trying to burn government offices, police say
The Oregonian | By Sami Edge
Newport police arrested an Oregon Department of Human Services worker Monday, after alleging she tried to burn down a building that houses, among other things, a Department of Human Services office, police said in a news release.
MultCo DA shares details in conviction of drug dealer who ‘set up shop’ in Portland
KOIN 6 | By Becca Yanez, Aimee Plante
Multnomah County authorities announced the conviction of a drug dealer they said “set up shop” in downtown Portland.
Second woman sues Multnomah County, jail deputy over sexual abuse claims
OPB | By Troy Brynelson
A second woman has come forward with a lawsuit against Multnomah County and a now-retired corrections deputy who she said sexually assaulted her while she was in jail.
All Oregon prisoners will soon have their own personal tablet. Here’s why
The Oregonian | By Isabel Funk
Prisoners at Oregon correctional facilities will soon be able to play Angry Birds, Candy Crush and Tetris on their own state-issued tablets.
The Oregon Department of Corrections said Monday it will also start delivering personal mail digitally, as part of an effort to curb the flow of drugs into prisons.
2026 ELECTION
Willamette Valley voters will see a full slate of levies and bonds
Statesman Journal | By Bill Poehler
Four fire districts, one school district and one city around the Willamette Valley are asking voters for more money in the May 19 election.
| 
