RACC Issues & Positions - Roseburg Area Chamber

Chamber Issues & Positions

RACC’S 2023-24 Public Affairs & Legislative Agenda

The chamber has submitted on its own or added its name to coalitions in support of:

Federal transportation infrastructure funding
Effective management of public timber lands to include increased harvest
More effective management of public lands after a fire or other catastrophic event
Funding for State Veterans Home in Roseburg
Allied Health School aka “Med Ed” siting in Roseburg
Support of Transportation & Infrastructure
Support for Federal permitting streamlining
Fought against proposed increased taxes on Oregon businesses
Advocated for border security and legal immigration reform to address workforce shortage (See LIBERTY Campaign Coalition Letter)

Roseburg Area Chamber 2024 Candidate Endorsements

In addition to our opposition to Measure 118, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce has endorsed incumbents/candidates in two contested state legislative races and two contested Roseburg city council races.

The chamber does not endorse in every race unless there is a clear and compelling reason to do so.

There are a number of criteria considered in RACC’s candidate endorsements. Chamber leadership reviews voting records, responses to written questionnaires and conducts in-person interviews as part of the candidate review process. Our endorsements are, first and foremost, based on a candidate’s proven support of local businesses in alignment with the chamber’s pro-business positions.

These individuals have the chamber’s confidence and full support. The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce endorses:

Katie Williams for Roseburg City Council, Ward 1, Position 2

Andrea Zielinski for Roseburg City Council, Ward 2, Position 2

David Brock Smith, Oregon Senate, District 1

Virgle Osborne, Oregon House of Representatives, District 2

Please cast your vote in support of our local businesses, by voting for RACC-endorsed candidates and voting NO on Measure 118!

Measure 118 Updates!

Ballots for November’s general election will be mailed out next Wednesday, October 16. You are aware about the myriad of problems Measure 118 would create for Oregon businesses and citizens. Measure 118 proposes the largest tax increase in Oregon history, a tax on sales, including sales on utilities, food, insurance and medicine, to name a few. Our members can help get the word out to neighbors, customers, vendors, employees and friends.

Yard Signs, Business Window Signs, Rack Cards and More! The chamber has “NO on 118” yard signs available. If you/your business would like a sign, email me HERE! We have ordered business window signs and bumper stickers and will let you know when we receive them!

Measure 118 Toolkit is Available! The Defeat the Costly Tax on Sales Coalition’s Outreach Toolkit for employers and coalition members is available. The chamber recognizes that for many of our members, direct engagement in political activity of any kind – either through communication with your employees, your customers, or vendors – requires careful consideration. This toolkit is intended as a resource for interested members as you think of various ways to communicate about Measure 118.

If you are interested in receiving the toolkit and associated resource documents, CLICK HERE and we’ll email it to you. This type of grassroots connectivity is vitally important to defeat Measure 118.

New “NO on Measure 118” Ad is Launched! The coalitions’ newest TV ad highlights several ways in which Measure 118’s $6.8 Billion annual tax on sales would increase costs for basic necessities like utilities, home and car insurance, gasoline, internet service, medicine, food and health care. Watch the ad here.
In case you’ve missed it, check out the first ad here. It which features Joel Kelly, an organic food grower and small business owner in Milwaukie, who describes the negative impacts Measure 118 would have on small businesses in Oregon.
These ads are part of a comprehensive effort by the Defeat the Tax on Sales coalition to inform Oregon voters about the negative impacts of Measure 118, a massive tax on sales that would drive up costs for Oregon households and businesses.

What Others are Saying About Measure 118! Oregon chambers of commerce and business organizations are not alone in recognizing the harm this measure would cause if passed. The list of labor unions, businesses, social justice advocates, elected officials and newspaper editorial boards opposing the measure keeps growing. Here’s what just a few of them have to say:

“A tax that raises the price of medicine, food and utilities, saps funding for essential services and sends that money as rebates to all residents – regardless of income or need – is a formula for chaos.” – Oregonian editorial board
“Oregonians think they have no state sales tax, but residents will pay more as businesses pass their tax costs along to consumers in order to survive.” – Wall Street Journal editorial board
“Don’t be fooled by Measure 118’s ‘tax rebate.’ You’ll pay for that windfall through higher prices on just about everything.” – Gresham Outlook
“It’s a half-baked idea that could prove incredibly damaging.” – Yamhill County News-Register editorial board
“Measure 118 will hurt firefighters and other frontline workers by reducing available public safety funds in state, county and municipal budgets.” – Oregon State Fire Fighters Council
“Measure 118 would divert vitally needed funds from the state’s general fund, limiting access to resources that are vital for our communities, particularly communities of color who have been under-resourced. Measure 118 runs counter to our work to build the capacity of communities of color and will make it more difficult to achieve justice and equity goals.” – Coalition of Communities of Color
“Measure 118 is a hot mess, and voters should reject it as inequitable and wasteful.” Tax Fairness Oregon
“If passed, Measure 118 would push us to the breaking point. While other businesses may pass this tax on to consumers, independent oncologists cannot pass this on to our patients – nor would we want to.” – Dr. John Schuler, radiation oncologist
“Measure 118 would threaten small businesses by imposing a $6.8 Billion tax on sales, the largest tax increase in Oregon history. It would drive up costs for basic supplies we need to run our business and force us to pass those costs onto our customers.” – Joel Kelly, small business owner
“Measure 118 is another out-of-state and dangerous experiment that doesn’t align with the needs of Oregonians.” – Senate Minority Leader Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles
“I am opposed to this ballot measure. It may look good on paper, but its flawed approach would punch a huge hole in the state budget and put essential services for low-wage and working families at risk.” – Gov. Tina Kotek
“Measure 118 would hurt seniors living on fixed incomes by increasing prices for housing, groceries and medications – none of which are exempted from this tax. The last thing our state needs is to send rebates to wealthy folks who do not need it at the expense of services supporting our most vulnerable Oregonians.” – Oregon State Council of Retired Citizens and the United Seniors of Oregon

Seven Things to Know about Measure 118’s Deeply Flawed $6.8 Billion Tax

Opposition to Measure 118 continues to grow as Oregonians learn about the damage this deeply flawed $6.8 Billion annual tax on the sale of goods and services would do to the state’s residents, businesses, economy and public services. Here are some facts to keep in mind:

Measure 118 is a tax on sales, not income or profit. This tax on gross sales applies whether a business makes a lot of money, has small margins or even loses money.
Prices will go up. There’s no such thing as free money. Consumers will pay for this massive tax through higher prices as confirmed by the nonpartisan Legislative Revenue Office.
Measure 118 is a “tax on a tax.” Unlike a traditional sales tax that happens once at the final sale, Measure 118’s tax on sales could apply at every step of the supply chain.
Measure 118 makes Oregon businesses less competitive. Out-of-state farmers, manufacturers and others will have an immediate advantage because sales in their state won’t apply.
There’s no guarantee anyone gets their “rebate.” Future legislatures could amend this law at any time, use the money for something else, or increase the tax rate.
Measure 118 taxes sales on everything—including everyday necessities. There are no product exemptions, so this tax on sales would apply to everything from groceries to gas, and from insurance to medicine.
A broad, bipartisan coalition opposes Measure 118. Democrats and Republicans, business organizations and labor unions—the growing list of those who oppose this deeply flawed measure is unprecedented. Download the factsheet.

If you haven’t already, please visit NOonMeasure118.com to join our growing coalition and learn more about the effort to defeat this costly tax on sales.

Chamber Urges Congress to Pursue Pro-Growth Tax Policy

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce joined more than 500 state and local chambers and national trade associations in calling on the next Congress and administration to pursue a pro-growth agenda and prevent tax increases on American families and businesses.

In 2017, pro-growth tax reforms were enacted to invigorate our economy, bringing significant benefits to families and local businesses nationwide. These changes sparked new companies, fueled pay raises for workers, and opened job opportunities as employers reinvested in their communities. Without decisive action from the next Congress and administration, many of the pro-growth tax reforms enacted in 2017 will automatically vanish at the end of 2025.

The coalition letter, from chambers and organizations from every state in the U.S., was sent to Capitol Hill on Thursday, September 12. Read the letter HERE.

Chamber Comments on DEQ’s 2024 Climate Protection Program Draft Rules

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting public comment on its Climate Protection Program.

In 2023, the Oregon Court of Appeals struck down the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Climate Protection Program (CPP), which would have raised energy prices for Oregonians, including our businesses, hospital and schools. Now, the agency is back with the same costly program and is seeking public comment on the draft rules.

While the program’s environmental goals are commendable, the financial burden on our local businesses, organizations, residents, and all Oregonians should not be overlooked. The CPP will lead to increased energy costs for consumers, putting a strain on budgets that are already stretched too thin.

The Oregon DEQ acknowledges in their own draft Fiscal Impact Statement that compliance costs for fuel suppliers, including natural gas utilities, will likely be passed on to consumers. In the same document, they maintain this could disproportionately impact businesses, industries, and low-income households and rural areas like Douglas County, which may face challenges transitioning to clean energy and are less resilient to price increases. Regardless, they continue to push forward with the program.

Energy cost increases are also anticipated for other large natural gas customers like local hospitals, manufacturers, and schools, since the rule contains no cost caps.

On August 26, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce submitted its comment letter to the Oregon DEQ regarding its proposed CPP. Read RACC Comment Letter.

The deadline to submit comments to the DEQ is September 27 at 4:00 pm. Send a message to the DEQ urging them to consider the economic impact this program will have on Oregonians.

IP 17 Receives Ballot Measure Number / Join “NO on Measure 118” Today! (August 2, 2024)

Yesterday, August 1, the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office assigned a ballot measure number to a massive new tax that will appear on the November ballot. The costly tax on sales formerly known as Initiative Petition 17 (IP 17) is now officially Measure 118.

Measure 118 qualified for the ballot on July 24 following a signature-gathering effort funded by California activists. It would implement a massive new $6.8 Billion tax on sales in Oregon, driving up costs on even staples like food and medicine for Oregon consumers. It also would make Oregon’s businesses less competitive, eroding job growth and harming family farms and local businesses across the state.

If passed by Oregon voters, Measure 118 would impose a 3% tax on businesses with gross Oregon sales over $25 million per year. The measure is essentially a gross receipts tax: It would tax sales, not profits – and businesses would be forced to pay the tax regardless of whether they were making a large profit, small profit, or were losing money.

Measure 118’s tax would apply at every step in the production and selling process. By the time an Oregon product went from raw materials to a manufacturer to a packaging company to a distributor and then to a retailer, it might be taxed five times before it finally reached the consumer – driving up the cost far more than a typical sales tax.

To learn more about this costly tax on sales and join the growing coalition of organizations, businesses and individuals fighting it, please follow the link below.

NO on IP 17 Campaign Readies for November Ballot / Join Today! (July 29, 2024)

This afternoon, a coalition representing businesses, consumers and organizations from across the state announced its formal opposition—Defeat the Costly Tax on Sales—to Initiative Petition 17 (IP 17), which qualified for the November 2024 ballot last week.

The proposal, which will receive a ballot measure number once the state elections division completes all of its validation processes, would impose the largest tax increase of any kind in Oregon history. The Legislative Revenue Office estimates that the tax on Oregon sales would collect $6.8 billion per year by imposing a 3% tax on a corporation’s sales above $25 million annually. It is essentially a gross receipts tax that applies to sales, not profits. Businesses would have to pay even if they were making a small profit – or none at all.

Moreover, the tax would be applied at every step in the process of creating and selling a product in Oregon. By the time an Oregonian bought a product, it might have been taxed multiple times. The tax’s effect would be far more pronounced – and regressive – than that of a typical sales tax.

IP 17 also provides no exceptions for staples like food, clothing, fuel or utilities. The Legislative Revenue Office estimates that it will increase prices in the state by 1.3%. For context, current CPI for our region is 2.8%. LRO also estimates that the measure would erode growth in jobs, wages, income and population over the next several years.

In short, IP 17 would substantially increase the cost of living in Oregon and the cost of doing business here. This would reduce the competitiveness of Oregon employers, who would have an even greater incentive to invest in other states – taking jobs and potential tax revenue with them.

The proposal would redistribute the billions of dollars it would collect to “eligible individuals,” defined in the measure as anyone living in Oregon for just 200 days. However, nothing would prevent legislators from redirecting that money however they want with a simple majority vote.

Defeating this costly tax on Oregon sales will require the help of businesses, individuals and organizations throughout the state. Thank you to our Roseburg Area Chamber members that have already joined to coalition. To learn what you can do – and to receive regular updates on the campaign – please visit the campaign website below and join our growing coalition.

RACC Urges Members Join “Oregonians Against the Costly Tax on Sales” Coalition Now! (July 18, 2024)

IP17 creates a gross receipts tax on a business’ annual sales over $25 million. It’s a tax on their sales, not on income or profit. Therefore, even businesses that lose money would have to pay. This costly measure would be the largest tax increase in Oregon’s history. It would hurt Oregon’s economy and drive up costs for Oregonians and businesses at the worst possible time.

IP17 is even more costly than a traditional sales tax, because it happens at every stage of the supply chain in Oregon – from raw materials, through production and distribution, and even as it’s placed on the store shelf you shop from. It will drive up costs of everything from groceries and gas to prescription drugs and housing construction. You can see a chart here that illustrates what we mean.

Stop harmful policies driving up costs for small businesses. Small businesses that don’t have $25 million in sales will see their prices rise, too. Here’s just one example. Energy costs are a significant expense for small businesses. From powering storefronts and offices to running essential equipment, energy is a vital component of daily operations. Unfortunately, recent policy changes have led to a hefty increase in energy costs, placing an undue burden on small business owners who are already grappling with high inflation and workforce challenges.

Proponents claim that the tax revenue will be redistributed to “eligible Oregonians,” but we know there’s no such thing as free money. In fact, the new scheme would result in a loss to the state’s general fund budget, which supports schools, behavioral health, public safety and other important priorities.

Despite what proponents say, if this passes, lawmakers in Salem could amend it with a simple majority vote and redirect the money anywhere they want, thus giving them a multibillion-dollar blank check with no accountability.

The Roseburg Area Chamber is urging member businesses, organizations and individuals join us as members of the “Oregonians Against the Costly Tax on Sales” coalition TODAY! Please join the growing coalition to defeat this costly tax on sales.

Chamber Joins “Oregonians Against the Costly Tax on Sales” Coalition in Opposition to IP 17 (July 11, 2024)

Costly Tax on Oregon Sales Proposed for November Ballot / Take Action Now!

Oregon business organizations and chambers have been monitoring Initiative Petition 17 (IP 17) for the past couple of months. By the July 5 filing deadline, the petitioner behind IP 17, submitted a final batch of signatures, bringing the total he has submitted to 168,854. IP 17 proposes an increase to the state’s corporate minimum tax structure by adding a 3% tax on Oregon sales in excess of $25 million.

The petitioner needs 117,173 valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. There is always some error rate associated with submitted signatures, so it’s common for petitioners to aim for well over the required amount to account for the error rate. The Secretary of State’s validation process began yesterday, July 10. The petitioner would need historically low accuracy to not qualify. The Secretary of State has up to 30 days to complete the validation process, which gives the SOS until August 4, although it is anticipated to be completed sooner.

This gross receipts tax will have extremely negative consequences, particularly since it applies at every stage of the supply chain. It will drive up costs of everything from groceries and gas to prescription drugs and housing construction.

Stop harmful policies driving up costs for small businesses. Energy costs are a significant expense for small businesses. From powering storefronts and offices to running essential equipment, energy is a vital component of daily operations. Unfortunately, recent policy changes have led to a hefty increase in energy costs, placing an undue burden on small business owners who are already grappling with high inflation and workforce challenges.

Here is why it’s crucial to take a stand against these policies:

The increased costs put a financial strain on small businesses by reducing cash flow, making it harder to make investments in growth and provide family wage jobs.
As businesses take on higher operating costs, there is often no other option but to pass these costs on to customers. This only compounds the struggle for families already trying to cope with higher and higher living costs.
High inflation combined with soaring cost of living increases are hurting families and their ability to meet their basic needs. Higher utility bills can stretch household budgets to the breaking point.

What happens with the money raised from this tax increase? It is “rebated” (the petitioner’s language) to anyone living in Oregon for 200-plus days, including children, and regardless of whether an individual pays taxes.

Oregon Business & Industry (OBI) is leading the campaign against this costly tax on Oregon sales. It is critical that business leaders in our community and across Oregon are aware of this threat and are prepared to plug into efforts to oppose this massive tax expansion. This campaign will be similar to the battle we fought eight years ago against Measure 97. We cannot wait for the SOS validation to start this effort.

The Roseburg Area Chamber has joined the “Oregonians Against the Costly Tax on Sales” coalition and we encourage our members to do the same. As with Measure 97, the chamber will keep our members updated on issues related to IP 17 through the general election in November.

Important information related to defeating this costly tax:

Stay tuned for more information and details!

Chamber Supports City’s Proposed UGB Swap

At the March 19 meeting, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously to support the city of Roseburg’s proposed Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) land swap. For details about the chamber’s position, please see the chamber’s letter of support.

Roseburg Chamber Joins US Chamber Opposition to CARB Application

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter on April 10 to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, signed by more than 130 state and local chambers, including the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce, asking EPA to deny the California Air Resources Board’s application to exempt its In-Use Locomotive Regulation from the Clean Air Act. That move would require railroads to move to zero-emission locomotives in some cases by 2030 and in all cases by 2035, “even though the technologies necessary to achieve these reductions do not exist.” The signers say the CARB rule “threatens the supply chain” and would force freight off the rails and onto roads, among other harms. Read the letter HERE.

Chamber Coalition Supports H.R. 7198, The Prove It Act of 2024

Related to chamber coalition outcry about the need for reform of the 44-year-old Regulatory Flexibility Act (below), the Roseburg Area Chamber joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, local and state chambers throughout the country in support of H.R. 7198. The Prove It Act of 2024, is a bipartisan bill that would be a major step forward for small businesses that are harmed by excessive federal regulations. The chamber coalition letter in support of H.R. 7198 was submitted to members of the U.S. House of Representatives on May 21, 2024. Read the coalition letter HERE.

Chamber Coalition Supporting Small Business Input in Federal Rulemaking

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce joined local and state chambers throughout the United States on the U.S. Chamber’s coalition letter on Regulatory Flexibility Act reform in support of small business. The February 1, 2024 letter was sent to members of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committees on Small Business and of the Judiciary supporting reform in implementation of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Read the coalition letter HERE.

Oregon’s 2024 Legislative Session: RACC Positions on Bills

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce monitors business-related bills during each legislative session. This list of bills the chamber supports or opposes evolves as the session advances. Below is a list of some of the bills the chamber took positions during the 2024 session. For a recap of the 2024 Oregon Legislative Session from the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce (OSCC), Click Here and from Oregon Business & Industry (OBI), Click Here.

Oregon House of Representatives

SUPPORTS:

HB 4050—The Act removes an exception to the state law concerning pay equity requirement.

HB 4055—Raises the exemption and filing thresholds for the CAT tax.

HB 4106—Directs establishment of sustainable harvest levels of timber on state forestlands.

OPPOSES:

HB 4005—Makes changes to state law to clarify/expanding the meaning of an individual’s performance of services.

WATCHING:

HB 4002—Ballot Measure 110 reform.

Oregon Senate

SUPPORTS:

SB 1542—Increases threshold to $5 million for Oregon businesses to pay CAT.

OPPOSES:

SB 1559—Related to greenhouse gas reduction goals.

SB 1573—Would allow workers of subcontractors to file suits against general contractors for unpaid wages.

SB 1593–Imposes new tax on gross proceeds from sale of unprocessed timber harvests on private land.

WATCHING:

SB 1515—Proposal to mitigate or eliminate employee “stacking” related to Paid Leave Oregon & OFLA.

SB 1537—Related to accelerated housing production.

SB 1580—Related workers’ compensation fraud and imposition of criminal penalties on employers.

SB 1595–Relating to protections from debt collection.

2024 Legislative Updates from the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce (OSCC)

2024 Oregon Legislative Session Recap

Chamber Files Amicus Briefs with U.S. Supreme Court Supporting Petitions for Certiorari / UPDATE: U.S. Supreme Court Denies Petitions

On December 14, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce filed a Brief of Amici Curiae in support of petition for certiorari filed by petitioners in Murphy Company, et al v. Joseph R. Biden, Jr., in his official capacity as President of the United States, et al (No. 23-525). On Friday, December 15, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce filed a Brief of Amici Curiae in support of petition for certiorari filed by petitioners in American Forest Resource Council, et al v. United States of America, et al (No. 23-524).

Amicus curiae literally means “friend of the court;” an individual or organization that is not a party to a particular case, but which has interest in the case or information related to a case of critical importance to their community(ies). The chamber’s filings are founded in its long-standing interest and advocation for active management of public forestland for all designated purposes mandated under the O & C Act of 1937. The chamber is pleased and honored to have NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) Small Business Legal Center join both briefs in support of said U.S. Supreme Court petitions.

To read the chamber’s Amicus Brief in the American Forest Resource Council, et al case CLICK HERE. To read the chamber’s Amicus Brief in the Murphy Company, et al case CLICK HERE.

There are numerous reasons underlying the chamber’s decision to file briefs in both of these cases. First, the chamber, representing the interests of its members and Douglas County businesses, has significant interest in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Designation, the BLM’s 2016 Western Oregon Resource Management Plan and the impacts due to lack of effective management of O & C Act forestland. Specifically, the threat to the protectable interests of the chamber, its members and the Douglas County businesses for which the chamber advocates. Read full article HERE.

UPDATE: The US Supreme Court met on Friday, March 22, to discuss the requests by Murphy Co. and American Forest Resource Council to review the expansion of the Oregon monument into O&C Act lands. On March 25, they published their decision, and unfortunately the Court has decided to deny reviewing those cases. So the D.C. Circuit’s and Ninth Circuit’s rulings (which we don’t support) will stand. Order List (03/25/2024) (supremecourt.gov)

If there is a sliver of good news, it’s that two Supreme Court justices – Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh, whom we cited purposefully and visibly in our brief because we hoped they would carry the matter forward into review for us – did want to review the cases. They “dissented” from the fuller Court’s refusal to review the cases.

ARCHIVES: Oregon’s 2023 Legislative Session: RACC Positions on Bills

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce monitors hundreds of business-related bills during each legislative session. This list of bills the chamber supports or opposes grows as the session advances. Below is a list of current bills the RACC has positions on, but check back frequently as the list is updated as appropriate. For a recap of the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session, Click Here.

Oregon House of Representatives

OPPOSES:

HB 2923–Related to predictive scheduling; imposing requirements on hospitals.

HB 2396–Related in indirect sources of air pollution.

HB 2494–Relating to local transient lodging taxes.

HB 2821–Relating to nonprofit corporations that receive public funds.

HB 3019–Relating to transferring of funds from Oregon Forest Resources Institute. See RACC’s letter opposing HB 3019.

HB 3152–Relating to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. See RACC’s Testimony in Opposition

HB 3158–Relating to engine emissions; creating new provision.

HB 3159–Relating to funding to support species conservation; creating new provisions. Increases state TLT.

HB 3205–Relating to the exemption of certain bonuses from pay equity requirements. The RACC initially supported HB 3205, in its original proposal, see RACC’s Testimony in Support. On May 10, HB 3205 was gutted by Senate Labor & Business Committee Chair Kathleen Taylor. Senator Taylor’s amendment replaces the bill previously supported. RACC no longer supports HB 3205.

HB 3229–Relating to increase in DEQ Title V permit fees.

HB 3242 and HB 3243–Related to first party lawsuits on insurance claims. See HB 3242 & HB 3243 Opposition Letter.

SUPPORTS:

HB 2433–Relating to exempt amount under corporate activity tax (CAT); creating new provision.

HB 3078–Relating to designation of enterprise zones.

Oregon Senate

OPPOSES:

SB 803–Relating to diesel fuel.

SB 851–Relating to workplace psychological safety.

SB 907–Relating to employee’s rights to refuse to perform certain work assignments.

SB 925–Relating to mandatory pay disclosures for job postings.

SUPPORTS:

SB 127–Relating to exempt amount under corporate activity (CAT) tax; creating new provisions.

SB 754–Relating to releases of liability.

SB 795–Directs State Board of Forestry to convey certain state forest lands to county that determines that county would secure greatest permanent value of lands to county. See RACC’s Testimony in Support

SB 1009–Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds under Article XI-Q of Oregon Constitution for construction of veterans’ home in Roseburg, Oregon.

For more details about the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s positions on specific proposed state and federal legislation, visit RACC’s “Calls to Action” and “Current News” pages, for both current and archived news from the recent Oregon Legislative Session as well as RACC positions on business-relevant matters in the US Congress.

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce keeps its members updated on issues, matters and positions relevant to Douglas County businesses in its Business Perspectives newsletter and “Chamber News” email blasts which can be found HERE.

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2023 Legislative Updates from the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce (OSCC)

2023 Oregon Legislative Session Recap

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Highlighted 2019 positions/issues are archived, below. Archived positions/issues from 2020-22 can be found “Archived” on “Calls to Action.”

2019 Chamber Issues & Positions (Archived)

The chamber has submitted on its own or added its name to coalitions in support of:

Federal transportation infrastructure funding
Jordan Cove LNG & Pacific Connector Pipeline Project
Effective management of public timber lands to include increased harvest
More effective management of public lands after a fire or other catastrophic event
Funding for State Veterans Home in Roseburg
Allied Health School aka “Med Ed” siting in Roseburg
Support of Transportation & Infrastructure

2019/20 Public Affairs & Legislative Agenda