Judge denies block of Portland relocation fee, Superfund cleanup to start soon and local businesses participate in ‘Day Without Immigrants’
Judge refuses to stop Portland’s relocation fee
When Portland approved an emergency ordinance that requires landlords to pay a fee to tenants for no cause evictions, landlords promised to sue. Days later, two landlords did as promised. They also asked for a temporary stay while the suit processes. Judge Michael Simon declined the stay, OPB reports. Simon argued he could not block the law because the city structured the ordinance in a way that requires individual tenants to seek payment and sue landlords who don’t comply.
Portland to begin Superfund work
Although the Environmental Protection Agency is paralyzed under the current adminstration, the city of Portland wants to get the Superfund cleanup process going, the Portland Tribune reports. Commissoiner Nick Fish says the Bureau of Environmental Services is in talks with the Port of Portland and other responsible parties to begin work at a smaller site ahead of the larger project.
Restaurants, businesses close for ‘Day Without Immigrants’
The nationwide movement aims to demonstrate what the U.S. would look like without immigrants. Businesses including Kaah Market, Isabel and ?Por Que No? are closed today, the Oregonian reports. Some businesses, like Mother’s Bistro & Bar, will be open today but will match their Latinx employees’ wages and donate the total to immigrants’ rights associations.
OB Original Blog: Skilled job visas face scrutiny under Trump, lawyers warn
The law firm Tonkon Torp held a seminar in Portland Wednesday on the H1-B program under the Trump Administration.
OB Original Blog: Sen. Wyden introduces Kombucha Act
When he’s not pressing for an investigation into ties between Russia and the Trump Administration, Sen. Ron Wyden finds time to introduce legislation updating federal alcohol taxes for kombucha companies.
Portland’s Opal raises $15.5 million in funding round
The brand marketing platform is one of the city’s fastest growing startups. The successful funding round is the largest to date in 2017, the Portland Business Journal reports. The funding will allow Opal to add staff at its Portland headquarters, as well as in San Francisco, New York and London.
Verizon purchases Portland drone company
Skyward will provide Verizon and its subsidiaries a source to integrate and manage their drone operations, the Portland Business Journal reports. The terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
Uber back in Bend
The ride-sharing company has had an on-again off-again relationship Bend City Council for the past several years. Thanks to a new taxi code, approved Wednesday, Uber can officially operate in Bend as early as May, the Bend Bulletin reports. The code change also allows Lyft to come to Bend, but the competitor hasn’t expressed interest in doing so.
