Morning Roundup


State deficit fix a combo of cuts, new taxes, ‘Trump effect’ dampens international student applications and ODFW reverses gillnet decision.

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Budget writer supports tax cuts and new taxes to fill deficit

Sen. Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin, Oregon’s senior budget writer, proposes $500 million in cuts and $500 million in new taxes to fill the state’s $1.6 billion deficit, the Oregonian reports. Devlin says the two-year budget plan should take a long term view by building a solid foundation for the next four years. Cuts to public workers’ compensation and vendor payments could be on deck, as well as a reduction in staffing. As for new taxes, hospitals could face the brunt of the bill.

Oregon colleges see dip in international student applications

A survey by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers found 40% of colleges are seeing a “Trump effect,” in which applications from international students are declining, the New York Times reports. Portland State University President Wim Wiewel says students are afraid of what steps the Trump administration might take and what challenges they might face if they study in the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Commission reverses course on gillnetting

The commission unanimously voted to curtail gillnetting March 17 after Gov. Brown asked the Commission to reconsider its decision, the Daily Astorian reports. The new decision prevents summer harvesting by gillnetters, but still allows the gillnets in the fall. The decision repairs a regulatory divide between Washington and Oregon in the summer, but come fall rule enforcement on the Columbia River could be tricky.

Adidas is suing Asics for patent infringement

Adidas claims Asics is infringing on 10 patents for fitness tracking, the Portland Business Journal reports. Adidas seeks damages and a court order preventing Asics from continuing to sell the problematic technology.

Amazon opening third data center complex in Umatilla County

The online retailer already operates two server farms in Boardman and one in Umatilla. Amazon proposed a third 120-acre complex near Hermiston that consists of four data centers, the East Oregonian reports. Each center can support about 40 jobs with an average salary of $68,000. 

OB Original Blog: Businesses “unaware” of child care benefits

Many companies lack awareness of how providing on-site child care services to employees can boost revenues, says a representative of one of the largest for-profit early childhood education centers.