OBA Board Meets with Co-Speakers Hanna and Roblan

Friday, May 13th, 2011

At its recent Board of Directors meeting, Co-Speakers Arnie Roblan and Bruce Hanna spoke to the OBA Board about OBA’s priority bills and important steps to close out the 2011 Legislative Session.  Education, healthcare transformation, and the stability package were among the many topics discussed.

“The Co-Speakers have set a tone of civility and bi-partisanship that will serve Oregon well for years to come,” said OBA Board Chair Pete Kratz, EVP of Harry & David.

OBA thanks the Co-Speakers for their leadership and for taking time out of their schedules to have a discussion with the OBA Board of Directors.

Filed under: Events — KellyO

OBA Supports Stability Package

Friday, May 13th, 2011

On Wednesday, the OBA Board of Directors unanimously voted to support the 2011 Stability Package.  The package – which creates an emergency reserve fund (SJR 26/SB 754), sets aside mandatory savings (SB 968), and implements a capital gains reduction plan (SB 883) – will provide revenue stability and foster economic growth in the state.

“I applaud OBA’s sustained commitment to stabilizing Oregon’s revenue and the creation of a meaningful stability fund,” said Governor Kitzhaber. “We must continue to take smart steps that move Oregon’s recovery forward.”

OBA commends Senator Morse and Senator Burdick, who have been working tirelessly to produce a package of legislation that will reduce risks and uncertainty associated with Oregon’s volatile tax system and give businesses greater predictability when it comes to capital gains taxes.

“Creating a robust rainy day fund has always been core to OBA’s mission,” said OBA President Ryan Deckert.  “We are pleased that Senators Morse and Burdick have led the charge on this difficult issue.”

OBA urges its members to reach out to their elected officials and ask them to support this important package.

Filed under: Legislative Agenda — KellyO

Oregon Jobs Agenda

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

With Oregon facing double digit unemployment, the Oregon Business Association has been working with its business partners – PBA, OBC, and AOI – on a pro-active jobs agenda for the 2011 legislature.  The list below outlines priority bills that will grow private-sector jobs in Oregon:

Strengthen Oregon’s Innovation Economy

  • The $18.95 million Oregon Innovation Plan investment to leverage private dollars commercializing research and enhancing industry innovation (OBDD budget)

Train Oregonians for High Demand Jobs

  • $33.1 million Engineering & Technology Industry Council investment in engineering education (OUS budget)
  • $3.5 million investment in on-the-job-training and linking that investment to Oregon’s Career Readiness Certificate (included in the Governor’s budget)
  • HB 3362: Enhances Career and Technical Education

Provide Tools for Communities to Attract and Retain Jobs

  • SB 219: Allocates lottery monies to Business Oregon for Jobs Retention and Expansion Program
  • HB 3017: Extends sunset for Enterprise Zone program until 2025

Improve Permitting Processes and Make Industrial Lands Available

  • SB 264: Expedites approval of driveways providing access from businesses to state highways; also provides objective standards to govern the approval process
  • SB 766: Speeds up permitting for industrial projects and protects industrial areas from conversion and unnecessary restrictions or overlays
  • SB 792: Creates a pilot project for Central Oregon to better connect economic development and land use planning across jurisdictions
  • HB 2700: Expedites permitting for linear infrastructure and pipeline projects
  • HB 3591-A: Provides clear direction to the DEQ to seek to minimize negative economic impacts of conditions in the variances on new water quality standards, while still meeting the most demanding EPA requirements in the nation

Create Jobs in the Woods by Increasing Active Forest Management and Use of Biomass Energy

  • HB 2001: Ensures state forest lands produce jobs and revenue for counties, schools, and local taxing districts
  • SB 620: Extends existing Biomass Collectors Tax Credit until 2019
  • HB 2936: Creates biomass transportation tax credit

Advance Infrastructure Projects that Create Jobs and Strengthen our Economic Foundation

  • HB 2166: ConnectOregon IV multi-modal transportation investment

Advance Energy Projects to Create Jobs Today, Make Oregon More Efficient Tomorrow

  • HB 2960: Energy efficiency in schools (if properly implemented)

Make Targeted Tax Changes to Spur Investment, High Wage Jobs

  • SB 301: Allows for accelerated depreciation of certain business investments: PASSED
  • HB 3174: Extends R&D tax credit until 2018
  • A package to reduce capital gains taxes while growing Oregon’s rainy day fund through kicker reform and disciplined savings

To view the full press release, click here.

Filed under: Legislative Agenda — KellyO

Deckert Speaks at Oregon CEO Summit

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

OBA President Ryan Deckert was a featured panelist at the Oregon CEO Summit on Tuesday, May 3.  The event was covered by Oregon Business Magazine (excerpt below):

Oregon Business Association President Ryan Deckert was the second panel member to speak on innovation. “The last great hope for America is creativity and the American mind,” he said. He talked about the Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC) and how it was working to support research and startups in Oregon through its various programs, including ONAMI, OTRADI, OWET and Oregon BEST.

Deckert agreed with keynote speaker Patricia Bedient’s point that a part of encouraging innovation is being open to failure. He described an OWET buoy launch, with a gathered crowd, balloons and decorations, only to have the buoy sink. “It’s almost Caddyshack-esque,” he laughed.

To read the full article, click here.

Filed under: OBA in the News — KellyO