MemberConnect - February 2021

Message from our Board Chair

Strengthening Our Commitment to Equity

In her monthly column, OBI Chair Karen Vineyard, market executive, global commercial banking for Bank of America, discusses how we are working to ensure OBI’s leadership represents the broad diversity of Oregon’s businesses and employees.

Read her full column on our website.

Hundreds Gather Virtually for 2021 OBI Annual Meeting

OBI would like to thank the hundreds of members, elected officials, and community leaders who attended our virtual 2021 Annual Meeting on Feb. 9.

While we couldn’t gather in person, we were still able to conduct important business and hear from a variety of lawmakers about what’s on the table in the 2021 legislative session.

The new OBI bylaws were overwhelmingly approved by members at the meeting. Attendees heard from Sen. Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose), Sen. Lynn Findley (R-Vale), Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-Happy Valley) and Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) about their priorities for the session and how the Legislature is approaching critical issues like economic recovery, budget writing, and wildfire prevention in the mostly virtual session. Gov. Kate Brown provided an overview of the state’s response to COVID and spoke to OBI members about timelines for schools reopening, business restrictions, and other legislative priorities.

Thank you to all who attended. For those who didn’t, you can view the entire event on our website. We look forward to seeing you all in person next year!

COVID-19: More Oregonians Eligible for Vaccine, Some Business Restrictions Ease

This Sunday, Feb. 28 marks the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Oregon. As of Feb. 25, 2021, Oregon has lost 2,204 people to the virus.

This week also marked a tragic milestone for the United States: more than 500,000 Americans have died because of COVID-19. To put this in perspective, this means more Americans have died from the pandemic than on the battlefields of World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War combined.

While these numbers are staggering, Oregonians are now receiving vaccines by the thousands. To date, about 14% of Oregon’s population has been vaccinated. Gov. Brown prioritized health care workers and long-term care facility residents first, followed by educators and childcare workers, and then seniors.

Today, Gov. Kate Brown announced that Oregonians in the agricultural and food processing industries will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 29, the first step toward extending vaccination eligibility more broadly to frontline workers.

Oregonians experiencing homelessness, as well as those 45 and older with underlying medical conditions, as defined by the CDC, will become eligible at the same time.

On May 1, the state plans to expand eligibility to other frontline workers, as defined by the CDC. OBI will work with the Health Authority to get as much definition as we can as these groups phase in. Vaccines will also open then to Oregonians ages 16-44 with underlying conditions will also be eligible that day. No later than June 1, the state plans to allow all Oregonians 45 and older to start vaccinations. By July 1, anyone 16 or older should become eligible for the vaccines.

Recognizing that the vaccine sign-up process has been complex and frustrating for many, Gov. Brown also announced that the state is changing the process. Going forward, the state is setting up a system in which Oregonians will be contacted when it is their turn for a vaccination, and a health care partner will reach out to make an appointment. You can register for this service on the Get Vaccinated Oregon tool, and names will be selected at random.

OBI is in conversations with the governor’s office and our hospital partners about how Oregon employers can assist with the rollout as the vaccination becomes more broadly available. Look for communications that can be shared with employees soon. We will keep members up to date as more information develops and you can check your own eligibility here.

Several OBI members are participating in the Health Action coalition, an effort sponsored by the CDC, Ad Council and others. The coalition is an innovative nationwide partnership between the private and public sector to decrease vaccine hesitancy and improve health equity. Learn more here.

Meanwhile, as COVID cases have declined in Oregon, some counties are seeing restrictions loosening, allowing restaurants to open to in-person dining and gyms to operate. Some 16 counties are being upgraded effective today, Friday, Feb. 26.

Much of Oregon remains at high risk of spread, but many of the most populous counties – including in the Portland-metro area, in central Oregon, and along the coast – have been allowed to reopen indoor facilities with limitations.

You can find the status of your county and what it means for businesses here. OBI is here to help you navigate these regulations and to advocate for your business as we work to rebuild the economy.

Stay Updated on the Latest from Salem

The OBI government affairs team has been evaluating and engaging on nearly 2,000 bills so far this legislative session, which is now in its second month. We expect as many as 4,000 bills to be introduced.

The session is primarily virtual, with legislators meeting in Salem periodically for floor sessions, but conducting committee hearings virtually. We expect the Legislature to start meeting more frequently in person in the coming months once more Oregonians are vaccinated and strict limits on gatherings are lifted.

OBI priorities, which were recommended by our member-led policy committees and adopted by the Board, are as follows:

Opposing additional taxes or tax increases
Advocating for a pause on employment regulations
Supporting economic assistance for businesses struggling due to COVID shutdowns
Ensuring a level playing field when it comes to campaign finance reform
Ensuring environmental policy proposals consider economic impacts
Address health care disparities and other pandemic-related issues
Supporting common sense education improvements and workforce development

OBI’s weekly Business Bulletin newsletter includes a “Capitol Central” update that provides an overview of our most recent advocacy efforts and a status report on the various bills we are engaged in on your behalf. If you are not signed up to receive these alerts, please email Patti Winter.

You can also always find in-depth policy updates on the OBI website and detailed instructions on how to testify remotely on the state legislative website.

Latest State Economic Forecast Shows Impact of COVID Less than Originally Expected

On Wednesday, Feb. 24, state economists presented the latest economic forecast. For the most part, the news was good: Economists are predicting that the expected budget shortfall of about $2 billion – which they announced immediately following the start of the pandemic – will not materialize and Oregon will end the current two-year fiscal biennium with a $1.7 billion budget surplus.

Read the full report here.

The more positive outlook is largely due to increased income tax collections. The economists pointed to the unprecedented amount of federal aid injected into Oregon’s economy, which has translated into around $1.5 billion in additional Oregon tax liability. Second, unlike previous recessions, asset markets have continued to gain value and corporate income has held steady for the most part.

Because of the strong outlook, Oregon’s unique kicker law now comes into play because economists project revenue collections will exceed the 2% threshold. The recent forecast calls for collections to exceed the threshold by $170 million (0.9%). That means the state could end up returning money to taxpayers, rather than having the surplus to use as a cushion for the next biennial budget. The economists caution that the kicker credit is not a certainty at this time because we still have one more tax season left in this current biennium – although, they give it a two-in-three chance that it will be triggered when the biennium ends.

“Our Jobs Our Voice” Tool Connecting Thousands of Grassroots Advocates to Legislators

By now, you may have heard that OBI launched a new advocacy tool called Our Jobs Our Voice last fall. In just a few months, we’ve had nearly 8,000 grassroots advocates, from all corners of Oregon, sign on to support our pro-jobs message. Thank you!

Everyday Oregonians are connecting with their legislators on key issues like tax increases, supporting small businesses and economic recovery. As the 2021 legislature continues to meet and discuss important policy, this is one more way to ensure your voice is being heard.

We’re working hard to continue to grow this movement and hope you’ll join us. If you want to learn more and sign up to be part of our coalition, you can do so here.

OBI Website Gets a Fresh Look; Easier for Members to Navigate

Throughout the past couple of months, the OBI team has been working on a comprehensive redesign of our website to bring our members the latest information from Salem, as well as make it easier to learn about opportunities to engage with us, and benefit from your membership. New features include:

A more comprehensive home page, with policy updates, latest news and upcoming events front and center.
“Quick links” that will take you right where you are looking to go.
Easier access to information about the legislative session and our policy priorities.
A newer, more professional design that allows the public to learn more about OBI and the value of membership.
Simpler ways to connect to other OBI members and OBI staff.

Check it out and let us know what you think: communications@oregonbusinessindustry.com. We are always looking for ways to improve your experience with OBI.

Biden Administration Makes Change to PPP Lending in Effort to Support Small Businesses

Effective through March 10, only businesses with fewer than 20 employees (and sole proprietors) can apply for assistance through the federal Paycheck Protection Program. The policy change is an initiative from the Biden Administration, aiming to directly support small and minority-owned businesses.

In a press release on Feb. 23, the U.S. Chamber announced their support for the change, and called on the administration to extend the PPP application deadline, currently March 31, through the end of the year.

You can learn more about the PPP and get started on an application here.