Delta Variant Spreading Rapidly Amongst Unvaccinated Population |
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Oregon’s overall COVID vaccination hit the level necessary for reopening the state’s economy three weeks ago, but, on a county-by-county basis, vaccination rates vary widely. Some largely rural counties report adult vaccination rates as low as 37%, while other counties top 70%. This scorecard by the state of Oregon provides individual county results.
The growth in cases related to the Delta variant is causing increased concerns in Oregon and across the country. Gov. Kate Brown has set an ambitious goal of having 80% of adult Oregonians with at least one vaccination by Aug. 31, but that is becoming increasing difficult as vaccination efforts slow. Health authorities are urging all unvaccinated Oregonians to get a shot as soon as possible, and all Oregonians to practice safety measures in light of the increasing Delta variant cases.
If you need information about how to access a vaccine, try this website or check with your county health authority.
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Oregon OSHA Developing Heat and Smoke Rules |
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With the Pacific Northwest having endured record-breaking heat waves already this summer – as well as the Bootleg Fire in Southern Oregon, the third largest wildfire in state history (as of this writing) – Oregon OSHA is developing rules for employers with employees working outside.
The division adopted a temporary heat rule on July 8 and we expect a temporary smoke rule to be adopted soon. Permanent rules are still in development and likely to be published for comment in August. As always, OBI is at the table advocating for fair and easily implementable rules that protect both workers and employers. If you have any questions, reach out to Paloma Sparks via email.
Our partners at SAIF have also developed a guide for employers to prevent challenges with heat and wildfires during the summer months, which you can find here.
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Supreme Court Sides with Nonprofits in Campaign Disclosure Case |
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In February, OBI joined our partners at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and other state manufacturing associations in an amicus brief in the Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Becerra case before the U.S. Supreme Court, which arose after the California Attorney General (Becerra) began compelling 501c3 charities to disclose their donors’ names.
A diverse group of nonprofit organizations filed amicus briefs in the case, including the Hispanic Leadership Fund, the NAACP, the American Civil Liberties Union, Council on American Islamic Relations, the Philanthropy Roundtable, and hundreds of others across all sides of the American political spectrum, along with NAM and OBI.
The Supreme Court sided with nonprofits and ruled on July 1 that the California law was “facially unconstitutional.” The law, if upheld, would have had a chilling effect on the political process across the county, of which nonprofits play an integral role. The broad input from nonprofit organizations was noted by justices in the decision.
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As U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg drove an electric bus through Eugene earlier this month while on a visit to the district of Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio, chair of the House Transportation Committee, the sweeping infrastructure package proposed by the Biden Administration continues to face an uphill battle in Congress.
In June, President Biden announced a bipartisan deal with five Democratic and five Republican senators on a nationwide infrastructure package. The package, endorsed by leaders in both political parties, would not raise the corporate tax rate as some other proposals have done. Other proposals have included steep increases in corporate taxes to pay for the investments, which has been broadly opposed by business organizations.
On July 22, OBI joined more than 122 other national, state and local business and manufacturing organizations in calling on Congress to advance the bipartisan infrastructure framework, but to do so without creating a substantial new tax burden on business.
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After more than 16 months of closure, the state Capitol is now open to the public.
The extended closure, due to COVID-19 health and safety precautions, resulted in an unprecedented legislative session, during which only legislators and select staff members, as well as members of the media, were allowed to be physically present for proceedings. That made it enormously difficult for advocacy groups, like OBI, as well as individual members of the public, to interact with lawmakers.
While construction work continues to impact various wings and floors of the Capitol, advocates and the public are expected to be allowed inside during September legislative days, redistricting hearings and special legislative session.
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Oregon Business & Industry
1149 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
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