Dear OSCC Members & Colleagues – Right now, the three defining issues of 2026 appear to be: 1. The legislature’s apparent agreement to raise revenue by about $300 million by disconnecting with parts of the federal tax cut bill with SB 1507. Combined with the improved revenue forecast on February 4th, the state appears to be on track to add about $600 million to its coffers for the 2025-27 biennium. OSCC continues to oppose SB 1507 as it disconnects businesses from federal bonus depreciation tax incentives for investments in machinery and equipment. The Senate is poised to vote on this measure as soon as Tuesday. 2. SB 1599 is an exercise in pure political power. With almost total opposition from the general public, Democratic leadership will still muscle through this legislation to alter election deadlines and procedures to move the gas tax referral from November up to May. Whether this bill will serve as a grassroots rally cry and have implications for upcoming elections is the next big question. 3. SB 1501.  The bill to help keep the Portland Trailblazers in Portland took center court for the first time this past week. It commits $360 million of state bonding authority to update the Moda Center and give the State an ownership stake in the arena. Supporters are launching a full court press to pass the bill. While most legislators want to help, the timing is tough. For one, it comes on the heels of a similar successful bonding bill in 2025 that purported to help bring Major League Baseball to Portland. It also comes at the exact time that legislators are telling their constituents that the state is in a dire financial position. The bill will undoubtedly evoke strong feelings from downstate legislators who’ve seen their districts suffer from lack of attention to local economic issues.   STATUS UPDATE: Lodging Taxes HB 4134: Statewide TLT tax increase. Increases the state TLT tax from 1.5% to 2.75%. OSCC is opposing this bill and encourages all chamber members to continue to engage in opposition to this tax increase that will hurt the tourism sector and make travelling more expensive for Oregonians. We are anticipating this bill to come to a vote in the House Revenue Committee this afternoon. HB 4148: Transient Lodging Tax diversion. OSCC sees this as perhaps the biggest threat to local chambers in 2026. The TLT diversion bills would allow local governments to increase their share of local TLT revenues to pay for more general government purposes and away from tourism promotion. The current legal share for local governments is 30%, which would be moved up to 60% in HB 4148. This bill is still pending in the House Revenue Committee. It received a public hearing this past week. OSCC testified in opposition.       STATUS UPDATE: Recreational Liability Waivers SB 1593: This bill is still alive in the Senate Rules Committee. OSCC has already issued an Action Alert on this issue. Oregon is the only state in the western US that gives recreational, outdoor and fitness businesses no ability to enforce liability waivers for ordinary negligence. This is a key issue for our outdoor industries and fitness and recreation businesses. SB 1593 appears to be in a holding pattern for end-of-session negotiation.    STATUS UPDATE: JOBS Act SB 1586: OSCC and many of our chambers are listed supporters of this bill, which we believe right now is probably the best “pro-business” bill of the 2026 session alongside SB 1593. SB 1586 advances several pro-growth concepts, including (1) expanding local government ability to exempt advanced manufacturing equipment and machinery from property taxation; (2) expanding the R&D Tax Credit to advanced manufacturing; (3) opening up industrial land in Washington County for advanced manufacturing; and (4) establishing expedited timelines for permitting. This bill gets its first hearing in the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee this morning.   STATUS UPDATE: Good bills now Dead Prevailing Wage Exemptions on Housing Developments (SB 1566): This is a bill that OSCC supported as did several chambers. The bill did receive one substantive public hearing this past week, but failed to advance at the deadline. We will be holding our weekly legislative update calls on Fridays at 9:30am. You can add these calls to your calendar using this link.

View full bill list

Dear OSCC Members & Colleagues – Thank you all very much for the outstanding participation in our Friday call. The discussion with newly-appointed Chief Prosperity Officer Tim Knopp was informative. We all now have a good point of contact in the Governor’s office. The two biggest news items of the Session’s first week: (1) the official state revenue forecast yielded an additional $286 million of general fund revenue, relieving some pressure on the state budget; and (2) Democratic leadership must not have believed they had enough bills circulating in the session to carry out their political objectives and introduced over 20 brand new bills on Day 4, nearly all of them “placeholder” bills that will be available to receive amendments crafted behind closed doors. Nearly all of the new bills were assigned to the Rules Committee in order to bypass the legislature’s self-imposed tight timelines for bill consideration.  Among the new bills introduced was Senate Bill 1599, which is intended to change the election date of the transportation tax referral from the November General Election to the May Primary Election. This bill is designed by Democratic leadership to move quickly despite popular opposition. It will receive its first public hearing this afternoon in the Joint Special Committee on Referendum Petition 2026-302.   LAST WEEK: Last week saw OSCC oppose the following bills which received initial public hearings: SB 1507: Federal Tax Disconnect. OSCC testified against this bill that would disconnect businesses from federal bonus depreciation tax incentives for investments in machinery and equipment. OSCC issued an Action Alert. HB 4098: Adding Insurance in the Unlawful Trade Practices Act. OSCC is part of the coalition opposing this bill. OSCC encourages member chambers to engage in opposition to this bill. HB 4134: Statewide TLT tax increase. Increases the state TLT tax from 1.5% to 2.75%. OSCC opposes this bill and encourages members to continue to engage in opposition to this tax increase that will hurt the tourism sector and make travelling more expensive for Oregonians.   THIS WEEK The intensity will ratchet up this week with more bills of consequence to OSCC and local business communities throughout Oregon. ·     Recreational Liability Waivers (SB 1593): OSCC has already issued an Action Alert on this issue. Oregon is the only state in the western US that gives recreational, outdoor and fitness businesses no ability to enforce liability waivers for ordinary negligence. This is a key issue for our outdoor industries and fitness and recreation businesses. SB 1593 has a public hearing this morning in the Senate Committee on Commerce.   ·     Federal Tax Disconnect (SB 1507). We believe this $300 million tax increase, predominately on business, will be voted out of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee this morning. ·     SALT Cap (SB 1510): We have heard from many members the importance of extending Oregon’s now expired “SALT cap workaround” to allow Oregon pass-through businesses to lower their federal tax burden. We believe this will likely be amended into SB 1510, which will have its first public hearing in the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee on Wednesday. ·     Prevailing Wage Exemptions on Housing Developments (SB 1566): This is a bill that OSCC supports and encourages OSCC members to testify on this afternoon in the Senate Labor and Business Committee. OSCC is aware of several critical housing developments that are being stalled or cancelled due to prevailing wage requirements on the construction. ·     Transient Lodging Tax diversion (HB 4148): OSCC sees this as perhaps our biggest threat in 2026. The TLT diversion bills would allow local governments to increase their share of local TLT tax revenues to pay for more general government purposes and away from tourism marketing. The current legal share for local governments is 30%, which would be moved up to 60% in HB 4148. OSCC members are encouraged to both sign up to OPPOSE this bill and submit testimony for today at 3pm in the House Revenue Committee.   FINAL NOTE: Please be on the lookout for consistent ACTION ALERTS this week. There are multiple critical hearings and votes happening every day – sometimes multiple times each day. We will not be able to cover everything, but will do our best for the major issues. For instance, TODAY we know there will be: (1) a committee vote on the federal tax disconnect; (2) a hearing on liability waivers; (3) a hearing on prevailing wage exemptions for housing developments; (4) a hearing on the TLT revenue diversion. TOMORROW we know there will be (1) a committee vote on HB 4098 to include insurance in the Unlawful Trade Practices Act; and (2) a committee vote on the Climate Superfund cost recover bill – SB 1541 – that is designed to capture revenue from GHG emitters in the fuels sector and would translate into fuel price spikes. And just remember…it will be over in less than 4 weeks! We will be holding our weekly legislative update calls on Fridays at 9:30am. You can add these calls to your calendar using this link.

Join our free speaking engagement on June 22^nd. Be Bold - Be Brave - Be You, promises to be an uplifting informative experience about employment possibilities for people with disabilities as well as highlighting the benefits of inclusive workforces for people of all abilities, businesses, and our communities.

 

Date: June 22nd

Time: 9am-12pm

Location: Portland Hilton Hotel

Buffet Brunch Provided

 

Speakers: John and Mark, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks

Performance by: Phame

Sponsored by: ALSO and GiGi’s Playhouse of Portland

All January long is Portland Music Month in Oregon. Pick your genre! Pick your venue! Come watch over 100 live performances, and help support the local music scene in Portland! 

Click here for tickets: https://www.portlandmusicmonth.org/tickets

Every day during the month of January, local bands are playing all across the city in multiple locations (31 days, 21 venues). 

Click here for venues: https://www.portlandmusicmonth.org/the-venues

You are invited to come watch your favorite bands and discover new musicians too.  A portion of all ticket sales will go toward the Echo Fund, which helps local musicians vitalize their businesses.

Keep Portland vibing!

Oh, and if you are in the music industry, be sure to fill out the online census before January 15.

Cluck here to complete survey: https://www.oregonmusiccensus.org

Music Portland is a 501(c)(6) that focuses on making the Portland area a place where a music career is economically viable through music-supportive public policy, strategic partnerships with local businesses, economic assessments, and a galvanized professional music community. If you are part of the music ecology in the Portland area, feel free to join.

Join the Movement.

https://musicportland.org/join

Rivermark has landed in Hollywood!

Rivermark Community Credit Union is celebrating the opening of its new Hollywood branch at 4730 NE Sandy Boulevard. Join us for a ribbon cutting event on Friday, June 24^th at 9 am.

The new full-service branch, features Video Teller technology and Saturday hours. The branch also has a drive-up ATM/Video Teller Kiosk with extended hours and a member parking garage.

“We are excited to be part of the thriving Hollywood community in Northeast Portland”, said Seth Schaefer, President/CEO of Rivermark Community Credit Union. “We’re committed to providing affordable financial solutions to members, with an emphasis on being local, personal, and accessible”, continued Schaefer.

As part of the grand opening celebration will be giving away housing payments for a year to one lucky new member, along with other new member incentives and a prize wheel to spin.

Learn more about what Rivermark has to offer at https://www.rivermarkcu.org/hollywood.

Mae Lin Plummer Takes the Helm

at Leach Botanical Garden: Former Executive Director

David Porter retires

as head of the iconic Portland Parks & Recreation attraction

Leach Garden Friends, the non-profit organization caring for Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R)’s Leach Botanical Garden, is pleased to announce Mae Lin Plummer as the popular garden’s new Executive Director. Plummer spent nearly 20 years in the corporate financial industry until discovering her passion for horticulture and public gardens. She served as Garden Director at the Duke Mansion and filled several roles at the UNC-Charlotte Botanical Gardens, both in North Carolina.

She recently completed the esteemed Longwood Fellows Program at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Plummer will step into the position in mid-January and succeed outgoing Executive Director David Porter, who is retiring after more than 10 years of unwavering commitment to the beloved public attraction.

“Mae Lin will take over a world-class destination,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz. “And the future is bright. I wish David Porter the very best in his retirement. The City thanks him for his enthusiastic stewardship as he led Leach Botanical Garden’s efforts in caretaking the magnificent site. East Portland, Leach Botanical Garden, and the parks system are better off thanks to David’s efforts. We wish him the best and are delighted to welcome such a worthy replacement. Mae Lin Plummer joins Leach with impressive credentials, experience, and commitment to stewardship of botanical gardens.”

“This is an extraordinary time of transformation and growth for Leach Botanical Garden,” says the incoming Executive Director, Plummer. “I could not be more excited to join such a passionate and dedicated team as we strive to expand access to the inspiring beauty of this unique and special place and continue to educate and steward our essential relationship with the natural world so that its benefits are available to everyone.” “I’m excited to work with Mae Lin Plummer as she takes the helm of the beloved sanctuary that is Leach,” says PP&R Director Adena Long. “Nature is a place of healing and reflection, and Leach is a place for nature at its best. Great things lie ahead for Leach Botanical Garden, and we’ll get there together.”

As we come into the Fall season, the Board is looking to what programs to offer in the coming year. The series of educational programs with Fran Tarkington is no longer available so we appreciate your input on what you would like to hear in an educational program. Please advise Gary Russell at gary@defendmylife.com, Mary Ann Gray at maryann@westsidesec.com or Kim Kelly at kimk@westsidesec.com with your thoughts and ideas.

Thank you for your input!  Your EPCC Board

The Oregon Department of Revenue wants to remind business taxpayers and tax preparers that it has on-line resources to help businesses that still need to register for Oregon's new Corporate Activity Tax (CAT).

The CAT applies to all business entity types, such as C and S corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and other entities. Businesses are required to register for the CAT within 30 days of reaching $750,000 in Oregon commercial activity in the calendar year. More than 13,000 business entities have registered for the CAT since registration opened in December 2019.

Registration for the CAT is through Revenue Online. A short CAT registration training document is available on the CAT page of the Revenue website.

To register, individuals doing business in Oregon will need their name and their Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number. Businesses will need their entity's legal name and federal employer identification number.

Businesses and individuals will need:

• Their mailing address;
• The date they exceeded or expect to exceed $750,000 in Oregon commercial activity;
• A valid email address or current Revenue Online login, and;
• Their Business Activity Code (Refer to the current list of North American Industry Classification System codes found with their federal income tax return instructions.)

Taxpayers don't need a Revenue Online account to register for the CAT. Those who have Revenue Online accounts can't be logged in to register for the CAT. Instead, they should go directly to the CAT webpage and click on the "Register for the CAT" link on the right-hand side of the page.

Rules hearing Tuesday

In accordance with social distancing measures necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic, the public hearing for the second set of permanent rules for the Corporate Activity Tax will take place via conference call 9 to 11 a.m.Tuesday, June 23.

To participate in the hearing, interested parties should call 541-465-2805 and enter the conference PIN 234470 when prompted. Those wishing to testify at the hearing will need to register beginning at 8:45 a.m. on the conference call line. Those needing to make alternate arrangements for registration should contact the Department of Revenue (DOR) rules coordinator before 8:45 a.m. June 23.

The CAT rules being considered are:

• 150-317-1050 Sourcing of Commercial Activity for Financial Institutions.
• 150-317-1060 Farmer's Sales to Agricultural Cooperatives.
• 150-317-1140 Wholesale Sale of Groceries Exclusion.
• 150-317-1400 Determining Property Resold Out of State and Methods of Determining.

Additional information about the hearing can be found on the administrative rules page of the Revenue website.

 

On July 24th, the East Portland Chamber of Commerce performed a Ribbon Cutting for new chamber members, the GEICO Local Office at11606 NE 6th. The food was tasty and plentiful. Former Governer, Barbara Roberts attended and congratulated Steve on the Grand Opening. Iheartmedia welcomed everyone as they arrived and the D.J. kept the music flowing. Best of all, the Gecko was everywhere!

President. Gary Russell, presents the Chamber certificate to Geico agent, Steve Ching.   

On June 23rd Adventist Health will again host SunnyCity. 

Fun day for the whole family! 

Local businesses and community organizations come together to present SunnyCity, an afternoon festival featuring free activities, games, giveaways and educational entertainment for families on Sunday, June 23, at Portland Adventist Academy.

Time:

1-4 pm: Family Fair
3:45 pm: Fire juggling presentation
4 pm: Ben Roy: The Science Guy from Go Science Zone

Place:

Portland Adventist Academy

1500 SE 96th

Portland OR  97216

Follow link for the flyer: SunnyCity Fair Flyer2019