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| Oregon Small Businesses in Top 10 |
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CONTACT: J.L. Wilson, (503) 364-4450 or Tony Malandra, (415) 664-9685
Although sales and prospects slipped slightly, state makes it into top 10 nationally
OREGON -- The state's most important economic sector slipped 9 percentage points from the previous quarter on one important measure, according to the latest Oregon Small-Business ConditionsSM report released today, but Oregon still remains the best in the Northwest, especially on two other key indicators, sales and prospects.
Compiled quarterly by the Research Foundation of America's largest small-business advocacy group, NFIB, the Oregon Small-Business ConditionsSM report asked Main Street business owners to assess support in the state's business environment – which included government, banks, the media and community groups. Oregon tallied a 20-percent, net-supportive rating, down 9 points from the previous quarter, but still miles ahead of neighboring Washington, negative 9 percent, and Northern California, negative 4 percent. The best in the nation was North Carolina's at positive 42 percent. In all the Research Foundation examines small-business environments in 26 of the largest-economy states in the nation.
"One thing is clear, and that is the state's economy is still not revving like it should," said J.L. Wilson, state director for the 12,000-member Oregon arm of NFIB. "We slipped slightly in almost every single category, but even though the net percent of respondents who said sales were good fell 3 points to 45 percent, that still puts us at seventh in the nation. And while the net percent of respondents who said the outlook for their business looked good in the next three months fell 2 points to 64 percent, it still ranks us nationally as seventh best."
"In fact some slippage is welcome news," continued Wilson, "such as the decline in credit needs and the 8-point drop in worries from big business competition. Almost half, 47 percent, considered higher fuel prices a very or somewhat serious problem. But in coping with the increases, 20 percent opted to reduce energy use, 16 percent decided to absorb the cost with lower earnings, 9 percent are trying conservation measures and around 7 percent did nothing, meaning they also absorbed the increases. It's the way small businesses deal with all cost increases, by taking less profit, instead of laying people off."
For information about the Small-Business ConditionsSM project and other small-business research studies conducted by the NFIB Research Foundation, visit www.NFIB.com/research.
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| Governor signs HB 2127 |
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| Governor Kulongoski congratulates Ahmad Rostamizadeh |
Bill Signing Begins New Era for Department
With the swish of a pen (well, okay - five pens), Governor Ted Kulongoski opened a new chapter in the history of the Oregon Employment Department. Affixing his signature put into law House Bill 2127, the Oregon Tax Stabilization Act. The ceremony took place on Thursday, June 16, in the Governor's Ceremonial Office in the state capitol building.
The bill reduces unemployment insurance taxes by an average of twelve percent and provides a stable funding source for the Employment Department. The new funding mechanism will provide support for the Department's services to business. In the past the Department was partially funded through interest paid on a small Benefit Reserve Fund. HB 2127 will redirect a certain percentage of the UI Trust fund to pay for Department Services. The new fund will be indexed to inflation and covered employment and subject to legislature approval through the budget process. Without this law, the Employment Department fund called SEDAF would have been inadequate to meet our needs.
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| Governor Signs HB 2127 into Law |
Governor Kulongoski said "One of my guiding principles is to strengthen Oregon's business climate, and HB 2127 helps achieve that goal. Not only does it cut unemployment taxes for employers while protecting benefits for workers, it is an example of government accountability and fiscal responsibility - by making smart management decisions, we can maximize the return to both employers and those looking for employment."
On hand for the event was Debbie Lincoln, Director of the Employment Department, along with Ahmad Rostamizadeh, who came up with the concept that led to HB 2127. Governor Kulongoski handed the parchment copy of the bill along with the first pen to Ahmad. Ahmad is an Actuary who works in the Budget & Program Analysis Unit in Salem.
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| Governor praises HB 2127 |
Debbie thanked the many private sector partners who helped push the bill through the legislature. She also thanked the many employees of the Department who worked on the legislation. A copy of the bill will be placed in the display case in the lobby of Central Office.
Debbie said that "thanks to this bill, the future of the Department is more sure, and our ability to provide better service to Oregon employers assured."
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