Joint Statement on Passage of Critical Education Bills

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Yesterday, OBA, Stand for Children, and Chalkboard Project released a joint statement on the recent passage of 14 education reform bills:

With the passage of a historic package of bills aimed at improving Oregon’s statewide education system, the Oregon Legislature made a strong statement that this state can and will do a better job of educating its students. These bills have the potential to improve the governance and efficiency of our school systems, to better prepare and support our classroom teachers, and to give students more pathways to success. We applaud the commitment of the Governor and leaders of both parties in working to reach a compromise on these important bills.

Throughout the session, the Chalkboard Project, the Oregon Business Association, Stand for Children and a small group of district superintendents worked in concerted support of positive changes to our education system, and it is our belief that Oregonians will be well served by this legislation.  There is much more work to be done if we are to truly transform our education system into one that can meet the needs of our state and our students, but these bills represent important first steps in a brighter, more hopeful direction.

To view the press release, click here.

Filed under: Legislative Agenda — KellyO

U.S. Secretary of Education to Keynote 2011 Statesman Dinner

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

As the Oregon Legislature considers a courageous package of education reforms, OBA has teamed up with Governor Kitzhaber to secure U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as the keynote speaker at OBA’s 11th Annual Statesman Dinner on Wednesday, October 12, 2011.

OBA has been tirelessly advocating for a statewide package of bills that will marry educational resources with results in Oregon’s classrooms and lecture halls, and we are excited to have Secretary Duncan speak to us about his efforts on the national level.  This will be Secretary Duncan’s first visit to Oregon.

This year’s dinner will be a unique opportunity to hear from a true reformer working to address critical education issues facing our country.  Be sure to save the date — preliminary details are below:

2011 OBA Statesman Dinner
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Oregon Convention Center
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
*Additional details TBA*

Filed under: Events — KellyO

OBA Luncheon with Congressman Schrader

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

OBA organized a luncheon last week with Congressman Kurt Schrader and members of the business community.

This event, the latest in a series of OBA meetings with the Oregon Congressional Delegation, provided a great opportunity for Congressman Schrader to receive feedback from business leaders on multiple issues facing Congress, including government regulation, economic recovery, trade issues, and the national debt.

We thank the Congressman for taking time out of his schedule to have a conversation with OBA members.

Special thanks to OBA member Ater Wynne for hosting the luncheon.

Filed under: Events — KellyO

New Washington Business Association Modeled after OBA

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

The Washington Business Alliance (WaBA), which was modeled after OBA, has officially launched.

This new statewide business association espouses many of the values held by OBA – WaBA is a bipartisan organization whose public policy positions are derived through five member-driven public policy committees (environment, health, fiscal governance, education, and transportation).  Like OBA, WaBA takes a long-term, solution-oriented approach to public policy.  OBA congratulates WaBA on its launch and expects great things from it in the future!

Filed under: OBA in the News — KellyO

OBA in the News: OBA Corrections Op-Ed

Monday, June 6th, 2011

Last Sunday, The Oregonian published an opinion piece by OBA President Ryan Deckert on Oregon’s corrections spending.  Full text of Deckert’s commentary is posted below:

Stop Overcrowding our Budget with Prison Spending
By: Ryan Deckert
Sunday, June 2, 2011

Oregon’s prisons may not have the overcrowding problem of California’s prison system, but our spending on corrections is certainly overcrowding investments in other areas of the state budget. Oregon spends more on our prison system than on higher education, which does not bode well for our ability to compete in the global knowledge economy.

The legislature would be remiss to continue its 20-year trend of disinvestment in K-12 schools and post-secondary education, while allowing the prison population of non-violent offenders to increase – even while crime rates are at a 40-year low. The legislature should act to stop the growth in the prison population, and use more cost-effective methods of accountability for these non-violent offenders. We know from other states that utilizing technology like ankle bracelets and community detention not only costs less but also lowers rates of recidivism versus mandatory minimum sentences.  Prisons are the most expensive public safety tool in the toolbox, and not always the most effective one.

As the legislative session winds down, we need concrete actions to move our public safety spending in a smarter direction. The legislature can start by fixing Measure 73, delaying the most costly parts of Measure 57, and passing a package of other reforms that create tangible savings in corrections spending.

For the past decade, the entire country watched California create an outrageously bloated, expensive and ineffective prison system while the rest of its state infrastructure suffered. Oregon’s legislature should be proactive and show California that you unlock human potential with educational opportunities – not a mandatory minimum sentence.

Filed under: Legislative Agenda,OBA in the News — KellyO

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

Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility: Now Accepting Nominations

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

The Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility will recognize employers of all kinds that have successfully created family-friendly, flexible work environments.  OBA encourages its member companies to apply for this prestigious national award, which recognizes employers across the country that have successfully integrated flexible policies and practices to meet both business and employee goals.  For more information and to get started, follow this link.

Filed under: Uncategorized — KellyO
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