Celebrating the Launch of Oregon's 10-Year Innovation Plan
In her November column, OBI Chair Karen Vineyard, Market Executive, Global Commercial Banking for Bank of America, discusses the importance of Oregon’s 10-Year Innovation Plan for the future of economic growth in our state.
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OBI and OBC Release Report on Manufacturing in Oregon |
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OBI and the Oregon Business Council (OBC) jointly released a study conducted by ECONorthwest on the state of manufacturing in Oregon on Nov. 17. With everyday Oregonians seeing the impacts of domestic manufacturing more than ever before – with the development and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines, the current supply chain issues all industries are facing, and the recent federal focus on and investment in domestic manufacturing – the manufacturing sector is facing a historic moment.
The report seized on this moment to show how Oregon has evolved into a manufacturing growth leader over the past few decades and today faces a unique opportunity for growth amid a new era of policy and investment following the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, manufacturing contributes $33 Billion to Oregon’s GDP, employs more than 214,000 people, and the opportunities from growth in this diverse and innovative sector are enormous. With just a 10% growth in manufacturing, 66,000 more jobs would be created and provide $800 million more in resources for state and local governments. But the report also emphasizes that seizing these new opportunities will require focused statewide and regional strategies and reexamination of tax, regulatory and investment policies that both help and hinder the sector’s competitiveness.
To learn more and read the report’s findings, click here. To view ECONorthwest’s key takeaways, check out their presentation.
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OSHA Heat and Smoke Rule Survey |
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Oregon OSHA is proposing regulation about workplace safety when workers are exposed to excessive heat or wildfire smoke. The heat rules will require employers to provide more frequent rest breaks and up to 32 ounces of water per hour per employee to workers. The smoke rules will require employers to provide respiratory protection to employees when air quality hits certain levels. Both rules will require training and other materials. All of these regulations will likely be quite costly, but we need your help to tell Oregon OSHA what those costs are. Please take our survey today on the fiscal impact of the proposed permanent rules. Please provide a response to questions that are applicable to your business. Your responses will be used to assist us in educating Oregon OSHA about how these regulations will impact your business. Thank you for your participation.
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Save the Date for OBI's Annual Meeting! |
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OBI is excited to announce that our Annual Meeting will be held the afternoon of Feb. 9 at the Salem Convention Center. More details will be available in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, we encourage you to mark your calendars to join us for a robust discussion on legislative matters and preview of OBI’s activities and priorities for 2022. |
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The legislature held three packed days of hearings during Legislative Days the week of Nov. 15. With the legislative session just two months away, committees used the hearings to discuss issues that are expected to emerge in the 2022 Legislative Session. Among others, OBI closely monitored hearings on a variety of employment related policy proposals.
Of note, we heard that AFL-CIO plans to bring forward a bill to amend the Workplace Fairness Act to prohibit nondisclosure agreements altogether rather than merely limiting the language of nondisclosure agreements when employees bring discrimination claims. The Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) is bringing legislation targeted at changing how workers are eligible for time loss benefits and allowing for longer time between physician verification of the need for benefits. The bill would also change when an insurer could collect overpayments. OBI and other stakeholders are working with OTLA to negotiate the proposal so that is workable for both employees and employers. We hope to reach an agreement before session begins.
Nov. 19 was the last day for legislators to submit their 2022 ideas into the office which drafts them into House or Senate bills. A few concepts to mention are the reintroduction of a tax hike on timber companies and overtime pay for farmworkers. OBI continues to monitor proposals that will be introduced in the short session that have the potential to impact our members and will keep you apprised of those concepts as we learn more.
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Oregon Supreme Court Dismisses Challenges to Redistricting |
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On Nov. 22, the Oregon Supreme Court officially dismissed two challenges to the state’s newly drawn legislative districts. There were actually two court cases, both brought by Republicans, which the court combined. The court found the challenges did not prove that the new districts were blatantly gerrymandered. With that ruling, the new districts—passed into law during a special session in September on party-line votes—will take effect. On Nov. 24, a panel of five judges (one from each of the current congressional districts in Oregon) dismissed a separate legal challenge filed by Republicans against the newly drawn congressional districts, which includes a brand new sixth seat granted after the 2020 census. That panel found there was no case to be made that the new map violated the law. |
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December Quarterly Revenue Forecast |
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OBI is partnering with the Oregon Department of Education and Education Northwest on the development of skill standards for career technical education. Specifically, ODE is seeking input on the skills desired of entry-level job candidates in the Business Management and Administration field. A group of Oregon business leaders provided input and review of the proposed skill standards; the standards are now available in a survey format for widespread review.
The survey asks you to rate the importance of a set of skills standards for entry level employees entering business management and administration career pathways. Your feedback will be used to update the standards that career and technical education (CTE) teachers and faculty in Oregon consult when designing coursework.
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OBI Welcomes New Vice President of Membership, Rebecca DeBo |
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Our team at OBI is pleased to welcome our new Vice President of Membership, Rebecca DeBo! Rebecca has 20 years of experience fundraising for mission-driven organizations including art institutions, child advocacy groups, public universities, alumni associations and academic medical centers.
She has served on the leadership teams at the University of Utah and Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) during their respective and equally successful $2B fundraising campaigns. She also helped design and implement the first comprehensive grateful patient programs at both universities while inspiring and leading diverse and talented teams.
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Benefit Spotlight: Making the Most of MemberZone
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Did you know that your MemberZone portal houses both your individual and company membership information, as well as a calendar of upcoming OBI and member events? You can register to join a policy committee, opt-in to newsletters, find exclusive member only benefits, find and list job postings, and more! Go to the OBI website to login (or create an account if you haven’t yet). Once your account is set up, take advantage of the following features:
- Home: Update personal and company information.
- Personal tab: Communication and newsletter preferences and committee participation in “groups/interests”.
- Events: Showcase your company events and review upcoming OBI and other member events.
- News: Feature your job postings and company events on the OBI website.
- Settings: Easily update personal, company and billing updates and conveniently pay your membership online.
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OBI Members Making Headlines this Month
Here are a few recent headlines from OBI members.
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Welcome to Oregon Business & Industry! |
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OBI is thrilled to welcome 13 new members that joined in October!
Congratulations and thank you to the following businesses for joining OBI; we are a stronger organization because of you.
Watch our new video to learn more about these great members and where they do business.
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Are you taking full advantage of your OBI membership?
Check out all of our benefit programs and start saving today!
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Oregon Business & Industry
1149 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
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