A proposed Portland business tax hike — seeking to raise $9 million for city programming — may be on the way out. From OPB: In a council work session Tuesday, (Commissioner Nick Fish) said the council has recently asked the business community to shoulder other new costs, due to laws requiring paid sick leave and raising … Read more
The approved solar farm near Redmond will have a capacity of nearly 10 megawatts. From Portland Business Journal: That project will consist of solar panels on 96 acres. The 10-megawatt project could provide enough power to energize around 1,500 homes annually. It follows plans for a 20-megawatt installation east of Bend. Those and similarly sized solar … Read more
The Eugene City Counci unanimously withdrew South Wilamette Special Area Zone considerations Monday. From Register-Guard: With the decision, Councilor George Brown said city officials were acknowledging “we gave it our best effort but it just didn’t work.” “This will set everyone’s minds at ease that it’s going away, it’s not coming back,” he said.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders will host a campaign rally today at the Salem Armory Auditorium. From Statesman Journal: Sanders is expected to give his stump speech, discussing the influence of money in politics, making public colleges tuition-free, fighting climate change and implementing universal health care. The candidate is trailing former Secretary of State Hillary … Read more
One of the biggest layoffs in Intel’s history last month will likely strain the Oregon workforce, but with numerous companies seeking skilled workers, it’s possible workers have an opportunity for employment. From OregonLive: While Oregon tech jobs are at their healthiest point in a decade, the sudden addition of hundreds of job hunters – with hundreds more … Read more
TriMet will close a stretch of track in downtown Portland for repairs May 8-21. From OregonLive: Do not take MAX. Don’t do it. If you need convincing: From the east side, on an average morning commute, 63 trains cross the Steel Bridge into downtown. During the disruption, the number will be 29.From the west side, … Read more
Housing prices, employment, are on the upswing. From the Bend Bulletin: Like its neighbor to the south, Redmond has largely shaken off the aftereffects of the Great Recession. Housing prices for single-family homes grew by more than 14 percent in Redmond between 2014 and 2015, compared to just under 13 percent in Bend over the … Read more