Gov. Brown introduces more cost-cutting measures, Merkley proposes nationwide clean energy act and Portland to subpoena Uber.
Gov. Brown announces three more cost cutting efforts
Brown announced a hiring freeze last week. On Thursday she announced three additional executive orders to tighten the state’s belt. The plan includes collecting owed debt, selling off state assets and better negotiating union contracts, the Register Guard reports. Brown also issued support for cost-cutting measures proposed by the Legislature last week. The list includes cuts to public employee pay, health insurance and reductions to the number of state jobs.
Brown also signs collective bargaining order
The executive order states that money considered in collective bargaining for unionized workers will include salary increases and health care costs, OPB reports. Traditionally, the negotiation only considered cost-of-living increases. Brown will also form a task force to evaluate the costs of PERS.
Sen. Merkley introduces nationwide clean energy bill
Merkley calls the bill the “100 by 50 Act,” which seeks to run the U.S. entirely on clean and renewable energy by 2050, OPB reports. The bill is supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders. Merkley’s bill is the latest in a string of clean energy pledges in Oregon. Multnomah County and Portland announced similar goals this month.
Portland’s Uber battle continues
Portland is currently investigating Uber for its use of Greyball to evade regulators. The city asked Uber to hand over its playbook used to instruct drivers on the software but Uber failed to turn over the documents. Commissioner Dan Saltzman wants to issue a subpoena for the records, the Oregonian reports. The last subpoena issued by the city was in 2006, to Portland General Electric when it was a subsidiary of Enron.
Cider businesses to benefit from new land use regulations
A state bill would allow cider companies to expand the permitted activities on site, Capital Press reports. The bill, which faces minimal opposition in the legislature, would allow cider businesses to sell their beverage on site, as well as serve food and offer other agritourism activities. The rules are similar to those set out for wineries.
Intel profits miss mark
To maintain profits Intel will cap its spending over the next three years, the company announced Thursday when its first quarter results showed slow growth, the Oregonian reports. Intel is still managing its transition from PCs to data centers.
Tweetscene: Angel Oregon
New Portland startup Madorra wins big at Thursday’s Angel Oregon showcase.
