Columbia Sportswear CEO lobbies against GOP tax reform, Adidas preps first robot factory for production and Oregon House approves lift on rent control ban.
Columbia Sportswear takes tax reform fight to D.C.
CEO Tim Boyle gathered a team and traveled to Washington D.C. to lobby against the GOP tax reform plan, the Oregonian reports. Boyle argues the plan will cut Columbia profits by 70% with the potential to close stores. That’s because the plan proposed a new tax on companies that sell imported products. The tax would impact several large Oregon businesses, including Columbia, Nike and Adidas.
Adidas opening first large-scale robot factory in Germany
The decision to open a robot factory for shoe manufacturing in Germany also signals a policy change for Adidas, which moved production from Germany to Asia more than 20 years ago, Susanna Koelblin reports. Adidas first announced its decision last fall and began testing production on a small scale. The athletic giant is now ready to begin large-scale production at its factory. Adidas also plans to open a second robot factory, known as a Speedfactory, in the U.S. this year.
OB Original Blog: Legislature follows Portland’s cue to stabilize housing crisis
Oregon House passes bill to lift ban on rent control and stop no-cause evictions.
PPS proposes cutting 134 positions in 2017-18 budget
Most of the lost positions — a handful in a system with more than 6,000 employees — are likely to come from Portland’s 10 high schools, OPB reports. The cuts are needed, according to the chief finance officer, because while revenue is up 2%, costs are up by 6%.
OB Original Blog: Former O investigative reporter aims to supercharge small town journalism
A Q&A with Les Zaitz, publisher and editor of the Malheur Enterprise.
Vandals target Biketown stations, bikes in Portland
More than 200 bikes and at least 12 bike stations were the target of spray paint and wire cutters, Bike Portland reports. The Portland Bureau of transportation says more than 20% of the Biketown system was damaged. Damages vary from paint over LED displays, cut tire spokes, slashed tires and sliced seats.
Mentor Graphics will keep name, headquarters after sale
Mentor’s $4.5 billion sale to Germany-based Siemens closed Friday. Siemens say things will remain unchanged at the Wilsonville company, for now, the Oregonian reports.
