SB 592 OSHA inspection of all workplace fatalities with increased penalties

This bill requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) to conduct “comprehensive inspections” whenever a fatality occurred, even if the fatality were the result of an accident. Since inspection is tied to negative outcomes, not negative behaviors, comprehensive inspections triggered by accidents would not foster safer workplaces. Instead, they would place a heavy burden on businesses by allowing OSHA…

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HB 2419 State loans to businesses

This bill directs the State Treasurer to establish linked deposit program under which State Treasurer purchases investment instruments from qualified depository at below-market rates and qualified depository issues below-market rate loans to minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses or businesses that service-disabled veterans own. Oregon may need to make risky loans to stimulate small businesses to replace those leaving the state or…

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HB 4086 Extends workers’ comp liabilities

VOTE: NO
Signed into law by Gov Brown

Bill would require most businesses to accept cold, hard cash

Most businesses in Oregon would be required to accept cash as payment under a bill being considered in Salem. Senate Bill 1565 would mean that stores would have to take cash or coins. Supporters say doing so is a matter of fairness for people who don’t use traditional banking, either by choice or because they can’t get an account. “Some…

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NFIB Lawsuit against OSHA’s vaccine mandate

NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) filed a legal challenge against the Biden Administration’s emergency temporary standard, which would mandate businesses with 100 or more employees require workers take the COVID-19 vaccine or undergo weekly testing and wear masks while at work. NFIB filed a petition for review at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit arguing…

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5% Meals taxes would hurt coastal restaurants

Both Newport and Cannon Beach have 5% Meals Tax proposals on the November 2021 ballot. Newport’s tax is Measure 21-205 which would fund public safety, library, parks, facilities and other services. Cannon Beach’s tax measure is ballot 4-210 and it would fund the Fire District and a new City Hall. Both taxes would severely hit restaurants at a terrible time….

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