In today’s headlines, mayor-elect wants diversity in boardrooms, while Portland can’t justify land purchase.
OREGON NEWS
Diversity ticket. Incoming Portland mayor Ted Wheeler is already setting his urban agenda. Diversity is at the top of the list. Wheeler says boardrooms are slow to add women, persons of color and LGBT members and is now calling for corporate boardrooms to diversify. The Portland Business Journal has more on Wheeler’s call to action.
Wheeler isn’t the only one focused on diversity — Intel CEO Brian Krzanich canceled a fundraiser for Donald Trump, who has famoulsy spoken against immigrants.
Premium purchase. The Portland Development Commission apparently cannot justify why it is paying nearly twice the value for a piece of property near the airport, intended to house the Pearl District post office when it relocates. PDC first offered a mere $6.5 million to Troutdale, before changing course and purchasing 47-acres for $34.7 million. The Oregonian reports PDC paid a premium to ensure a space for the post office and open up valuable land in the Pearl.
Money back. Health insurer Moda files suit against the federal government for not paying risk adjustment funds as promised. Lund Report has more.
Ice-broken? Layoffs are pending at Portland’s Icebreaker offices, as the company consolidates its support staff in Vancouver B.C. Read more here.
Wrongful termination. Whistleblower Kyle Walker, former CEO of Oregon Travel Experience, was awarded $1.26 million by a jury who found Walker was terminated for raising concerns the state agency was operating illegally. Walker had sought $2.5 million in her suit. The Statesman Journal reports.
Downzone East Portland? Portland and other Oregon cities are suffering from a dearth of workforce housing and residents want something to happen. But Willamette Week reports city officials are considering rezoning land in East Portland — by reducing the high-density housing requirements. Why? Overcrowded schools.
NATIONAL NEWS
Flight woes. Boeing announced in March that 8,000 jobs were on the cutting block. The majority of endangered jobs are reportedly in the IT department. Reuters has more.
Payday comeuppance. New regulations from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are being proposed to prevent consumers from “debt traps” created by payday lenders. CFPB Director Richard Corday told NPR consumers are being set up to fail by these businesses that make it difficult for its customers to repay the loans. New regulations could require lenders to ensure consumers can still pay for basic living expenses when calculating the loan.
