OSCC Legislative Positions - 2011

Education/Workforce Development

OSCC made workforce development one of its highest priorities during the 2009 legislative session  and urged legislators to ensure more effective use of federal funding, encouraged greater involvement by business and advocated for use of innovative approaches to attract participants.  To that end, OSCC supported and testified on behalf bills requiring a more focused and coordinated approached to workforce development programs and the establishment of a meaningful summer youth work program. 

OSCC also supported legislation proposed to streamline cumbersome state structure for administering workforce development programs and require new accountability in their implementation.

Supported improving education funding and delivery system, particularly community colleges and higher education.

General Business Regulation/Business Incentives

Opposed any efforts to potentially increase liability exposure for businesses and manufacturers as well as drive up the cost of insurance premiums.

Opposed bills increasing the 10-year timeframe to file product liability lawsuits to 25 years and allowing parties to sue insurance companies for triple damages plus attorney fees for “unfair claim settlement practices.” 

Supported Enterprise zones, expanded tax credits for business, capital gains relief, PERS reform.   

Supported PGE/Boardman 2020 plan. 

Public Safety

Supported public safety funding and, in particular, Oregon State Police, with existing revenue. 

Taxation/Reform/Fiscal Responsibility

Opposed, in general, increased tax burdens on Oregon businesses and, specifically, increases in corporate minimum that taxed gross corporate profits. 

Supported creation of a rainy day fund.

Supported both comprehensive tax reform and health care reform initiatives. 

Tourism

Opposed any attempt to repeal or modify Oregon’s 2003 transient lodging tax law. 

Transportation/Infrastructure

Supported increased funding for transportation improvements and projects. 

Workplace/Employee Mandates

OSCC took position that mandated increases in minimum wage should be re-examined. OSCC supported suspension of minimum wage increases if Oregon’s unemployment rate was higher than the national rate and drafted.  OSCC also supported tying minimum wage rates to regional changes in the median income. 

Opposed bills prohibiting employers from mandating that employees use accrued vacation time while on family leave and the creation a Family Leave Benefits Insurance program, funded by two cents for every hour worked being deducted from all employees’ pay and forwarded to the state.

Opposed “employer gag” bill which proposed to modify definitions and exceptions applicable to prohibition against an employer taking adverse employment action against employee who declines to attend meeting or participate in communication concerning employer’s opinion about religious or political matters.

Supported initiatives to better promote and ensure a drug-free workplace.
Opposed proposed legislation to change rules requiring overtime pay for work after eight hours in one day rather than for work after 40 hours in one week.