School Board Assn. threatens suit over state forest sale, Portland budget includes $18 million surplus and Newport wave energy center in federal budget.
Oregon School Boards threatens suit over Elliott Forest sale
The state forest is mandated by law to generate money for Oregon schools. The school boards association says the state either needs to move forward with sale or identify $220 million coming for the Common School Fund, OPB reports.
Portland mayor unveils city budget
The budget includes a $18.4 million surplus for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, OPB reports. Mayor Ted Wheeler has proposed spending the surplus on transportation infrastructure and homeless services. The city is required by law to set aside some surplus funding for infrastructure investments. Wheeler proposed $7.2 million for street and sidewalk repair. About $8 million would be allocated to homeless services.
Federal budget includes funding for Newport wave test center
The bipartisan budget deal reached this weekend includes $30 million in funding for Oregon’s wave energy test center, the Portland Business Journal reports. Center supporters were uncertain if federal funding would be awarded as the Trump Administration has pushed for cuts in science spending.
Bipartisan spending bill includes marijuana protection provision
The provision protects legalized medical marijuana from federal intrusion, the Portland Business Journal reports. Rep. Earl Blumenauer says the provision provides some measure of certainty for Oregon marijuana businesses.
Jive CEO explains why company sold
Jive announced its sale to ESW Capital yesterday for $462 million. CEO Elisa Steele says they didn’t have the scale necessary to “invest as fast as we would like in a market where supersized companies are investing and bundling,” the Portland Business Journal reports. As to the future of the Portland office, Steele says any decisions will remain uncertain until the deal closes in June.
Corporate tax reform discussed at Capitol this morning
Follow along @OregonBusiness
Proposed corporate tax: gross receipt tax on businesses w/income above $1 million. Biz income below $150k not required to file. #orleg
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) May 2, 2017
Committee estimates 100,000 Oregon businesses below $150,000 threshold.
37,000 would pay flat fee. 18,000 above $1M income. #orleg— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) May 2, 2017
May Day PDX marked by riots, TriMet closures and HBO film shoot
A day in the life of downtown Portland.