HB 3205 Compensation without discrimination

This bill modifies definition of “compensation,” for purposes of pay equity requirements, to exclude hiring bonuses and retention bonuses. Amendment -3 states: “An employer may pay employees for work of comparable character at different compensation levels pursuant to a signing, hiring or retention bonus, provided the employer does not discriminate between employees on the basis of a protected class in…

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HB 2058 Agriculture overtime award

This bill requires Oregon Business Development Department (OBDD) to administer a repayable award program for certain agricultural employers required to pay overtime wages under HB 4002 (2022). The employers must expect to have less than $3 million in annual gross income, be eligible for the tax credit for agricultural overtime pay allowed under section 8, chapter 115, Oregon Laws 2022,…

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SB 853A bans out-of-state commuting reimbursement

This bill as Amended prohibits state payment of travel costs to and from Oregon for state employees who telecommute from a principal work site located more than sixty miles from border of Oregon unless authorized under terms of a collective bargaining agreement. SB 853 A provides an exemption for telecommuting employees whose position necessitates them working from a principal work…

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HB 2738 Establishes a floor income

This bill requires Department of Human Services to study and recommend how to implement a guaranteed income program in this state. The bill states that it is interested in “a program that provides an unrestricted and unconditional cash payment to individuals who are members of a targeted population to meet basic needs…”   That means these “unrestricted” and “unconditional” funds could offset expenses in order to…

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SB 1566 Increases legislator’s salary

VOTE:NO
Died in committee

HB 4002 Overtime pay for agricultural workers

VOTE: NO
Signed into law by Gov Brown

HB 4004 Reimburses behavioral health providers

VOTE: NO
Signed into law by Gov Brown
Emergency Clause used

Democrat Lawmakers Quit Because They Didn’t Get Their Way

Three members of the legislature in Oregon announced this week they’re quitting . [The three state representatives, Karin Power, Rachel Prusak, and Anna Williams]. The reason they give is telling. They say it’s a full time job with part time pay. This kind of whining makes me sick. The average Oregonian makes 55-thousand a year. State lawmakers make 33-thousand, plus…

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Bill that would require higher OT for Oregon farmworkers lives another day

A proposal to require higher overtime wages for Oregon farmworkers will remain in play for the rest of the 2022 legislative session. The House Business and Labor Committee has voted 7-4 to refer House Bill 4002 to the House Revenue Committee, which isn’t subject to legislative deadlines that cull proposed legislation. “I will continue to advocate for its passage because…

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Original Salem State Capital

HB 3144 Increases Legislators salary

VOTE:NO
Died In Committee

Original Salem State Capital

SB 424 changes assistant attorney general base pay

VOTE:NO
Signed into Law by Gov Brown

SB 493 Setting of prevailing wage for trades

SB 493 VOTE: NO Signed into Law by Gov Brown on May 26, 2021 Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Measures/Overview/SB493 This bill changes how the prevailing wage for trade or occupation in a locality is set to be the highest rate of wage among collective bargaining agreements for trade or occupation in locality. Personal Choice and Responsibility Prevailing wages for public…

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Kate Brown Announces More Staffing Additions

Governor Kate Brown has announced several staffing changes, including the appointment of See Eun (pronounced “she-in”) Kim as executive appointments director, effective February 9. In this role, she will engage with a variety of stakeholder groups across the state to identify qualified candidates to serve on Oregon’s more than 250 boards and commissions, while balancing their needs and goals with…

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Government raises outpace all others in pandemic

The Oregon Employment Department reports that the largest gain in median wage during the pandemic was the local government sector at $3.23 hour gain. Compare that to three otehr (sic) industries (transportation, utilities, warehouse) which saw a 20-cent gain. The other services industry average gain was $3.19 per hour and the information industry average gain was $3.15 per hour. For…

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