Anti-business Oregon

[sandnsea]

I don't understand this complaint. Just what is it in Oregon that is supposedly so anti-business? I don't see any more regulations or taxes than many other states that are growing. Other states and cities have a similar minimum wage. So what exactly is the problem in Oregon?

And, do we just calculate our unemployment differently or more honestly?

[kaitykaity]

1. I think it's a meme.

It keeps Lars Fuckhead in business now that he doesn't
have Vera to kick around anymore.

[Ducks In A Row]

2. yep. the rethugs hate they couldn't rape and pillage at will

of course that may change.

[classof56]

3. I don't listen to Lars anymore...

Has he perhaps quit ranting, raving and foaming at the mouth about state employees and us EVIL PERS retirees?? (One of which is his father, BTW. Go figure.) Now it's Oregon being anti-business? I thought that mindset went bye-bye years ago. Suggest that Lars try the "visit but don't stay" mantra attributed to Oregon when Tom McCall said something similar 30+ years ago...which as I understand it was followed by one of the best economic booms in the state's history. I gave up on Lars years ago. Can't figure why anyone still listens to him, especially in progressive Portland. I hear Randi's blowing him away, though. That's good news!

[Qutzupalotl]

4. It can't be about taxes,

which is his big issue. KLCC reported that Oregon was #10 in the nation for business-friendly climate on taxation. SD was #1 IIRC.

[Vogon_Glory]

5. South Dakota No. !?

Isn't South Dakota losing population? So much for the success of a "pro-business" tax policy.

[Qutzupalotl]

8. I'm not sure if it's the chicken or the egg

as to what caused what, but my sense is that SD drastically cut business taxes in order to lure businesses to relocate there. Some revenue is better than none, and word of friendlier tax climates tend to make business growth a natural result, sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy (or pronouncement, really).

On edit: or they hope so, anyway.

[HuckleB]

6. Business community propaganda.

They're working to get more perks and freebies. Heck, before they started this campaign in the late '90s, Portland was named one of the top cities in the nation for entrepreneurs in Entrereneur Magazine for a number of years in a row. Then the business community started to rattle its swords, and suddenly what was once up became down.

[depakid]

7. Oregon is currently 37th in total tax burden

and the corporate alternative tax is....drumroll.... $10.

Bottom line is that it's a bunch of manufactured bullshit from groups like the Portland Business Alliance who will say ANYTHING to advance their agenda.

[sandnsea]

9. Okay everybody

That's how I see the situation too. But, two things. First, we ignore this stuff at our peril. If this stuff isn't true, what are we doing to get the truth out there. This is the biggest reason we're losing to Republicans in Oregon. Taxes and the anti-business meme. Do we have a list of 10 Oregon business friendly memes that we can put out?

Second, how does this explain our unemployment?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, just trying to figure out what's going on, business wise, in this state.

[depakid]

10. Unemployment here is kind of unique

It's due to the inevitable decline in the resource extraction industries (like logging, for instance- that cut beyond sustained yield and ran out of timber) and the high tech bubble bursting.

It was silly to think that loggers and other workers- fisherman, miners, or even growers and packer who can't compete with cheap shitty produce from Chile and california could be "retrained" to do high tech or other skilled jobs- although that was that was the big push here 10-15 years ago.

In addition, the Republicans have destroyed our schools, divested in higher education and let our parks and infrastructure crumble in order to irrationally cut taxes just for cutting taxes sake. That's VERY unsound economics (of course, economics- contrary to some people's opinion IS NOT and NEVER HAS BEEN a Republican strong suit).

So we're at a point where what company in their right mind would want to relocate here? To a state that doesn't support what were once some of the best schools in the nation? that lets it bridges crumble? That trashes its progressive health plan and eldercare system? Hell, we don't even have a half decent newspaper.

This is a state in serious decline- like the rest of the country- only because of its unique weaknesses- it took the hits harder and earlier.

I'm quite certain the rest of the country will quickly be catching up, though- in the race to the bottom. maybe then, Oregon will get some of its comparative advantage back.

Meanwhile- I think the state needs to go back to its old marketing scheme: we do things different here. This new "brand oregon" style business recruitment thing is going over about as well as "new coke."

[kostya]

12. Had to smile at your comment on GOP economics acumen

"... (of course, economics- contrary to some people's opinion IS NOT and NEVER HAS BEEN a Republican strong suit).

It's just that they have a different POV on economics. For them it's all about ME ME ME, and from that POV they are successful.

For the rest of us it's about community, how can we lift all the boats, create opportunity not just for me but for others, because we recognize that's the only way to real strength in the economy. Over the long-term this is much more successful.

It's sort of like that old puzzle where members of a class can choose to keep a dollar for themselves or choose to distribute one dollar to everyone else in the class but themself. The latter strategy will reap a lot more dollars for everyone, including the person giving away their dollar.

- K

[Buck Rabbit]

11. I own a business with a branch in both Portland and Tacoma.

Income tax is fairer in Oregon, you don't pay in years that you lose money. Washington is based on Gross and consumption, you pay the same regardless of whether you are actually profitable.

SAIF is vastly superior to Washington Labor and Industries.

OHSA tougher in Oregon. Most of the things they make you do are idiotic and expensive.

City of Tacoma leaves you alone.

City of Portland can be viscous to small businesses in their permit requirements and processes. They also whack you with assessments, fees and taxes in every direction. But if your rich or big enough they'll kiss your butt.

I love to live in Portland (though the 6 years I lived in NE Tacoma were good too.) It is not feasible for me to move my Portland branch to Clackamas County because of my customer base or I would.

[BradF]

14. permits for small biz

Yes, absolutely right. When I said Portland is friendly to business, I forgot to mention the problem with permits and the burdens laid on small businesses. That has to be remedied.

[sandnsea]

15. Florence - ten bucks

And a silly form, has to be approved by the city council and usually is. The worst thing is the old boy network and it can just be viscious. Other than that, maybe it's a Portland problem, not an Oregon problem???

[BradF]

13. anti-beaver stuff won't help

I agree. I think Oregon, especially Portland, is pretty friendly to business, but business wants more concessions, and that's just their nature. But I'm worried about the this Bush-era paranoia wrecking the attractiveness of Oregon to businesses that might relocate here. And people like Lars only exacerbate the sense that we've got paranoid secessionists hoarding guns in their barns.

Then there's this anti-beaver site I found. I don't know if this is a joke or not, but here's an example of how silly this whole right-wing conspiracy stuff is getting. The postings on the Forum are worth reading.

http://www.beaverconspiracy.com

This has to be a joke, right? Please tell me it is.