Morning Roundup


State sues Zoom+ for $3 million, sanctuary city funding safe for now and Oregon timber execs are happy about Canadian softwood tariff.

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Zoom+ troubles continue

State regulators filed suit against Zoom Management Inc. yesterday to recover $3 million for the Zoom Health Plan, the Portland Business Journal reports. While under review by regulators — Zoom’s health plan was placed under supervision three weeks ago — the department found an unfunded $3 million surplus note in the financial statement. Without the surplus note, Zoom had negative capital at $126,832, instead of the $2.9 million surplus it reported in 2016.

Federal judge blocks Trump sanctuary city threat

Trump has threatened cities with sanctuary city status, like Portland, with a kibosh on federal funding. U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick issued a temporary stay against the executive order to target sanctuary cities, OPB reports. Orrick says the president doesn’t have the authority to attach new conditions to federal funding.

Oregon timber execs support Trump’s timber tariff

Trump announced a 20% tariff on Canadian softwood lumber Wednesday. As a result, Oregon timber companies may add jobs, shifts and invest more in their Northwest mills, the Oregonian reports. Oregon execs claim Canadian lumber suppliers receive subsidies from their government and as a result strain the U.S. market. 

First automated truck in Oregon tested without public announcement

In December 2016, Daimler tested its connected truck on I-84 between Troutdale and Hood River, Willamette Week reports. The testing doesn’t require any approval from state or local agencies, and Daimler says it will continue its testing later this year.

Tesla to expand its Oregon charging network

Electric vehicles have seen a boon of infrastructure expansions lately in Oregon, including Uber’s new EV network in Portland. Tesla is following suit with 8 additional charging stations spread across Oregon, the Portland Business Journal reports. The expansion will increase Tesla’s Oregon network from 11 to 19.

Portland home prices climb second-fastest in nation

At 9.7%, Portland’s average home price increase falls just behind our Northerly neighbor Seattle, the Oregonian reports. The national average was just 5.8%. The largest price increases were on more affordable homes. The median home price in Portland is now $370,000.