New Salem-Keizer Superintendent Brings Changes to the District
Salem-Keizer introduced new superintendent Andrea Castaneda this summer and she’s quickly made an impression on the community.
Within her first 100 days in office, her focus was on board relations, teaching and learning, student and community engagement and operations, safety, and finance.
Dr. Satya Chandragiri was the first person of color to be sel…
A Journey Through Salem’s Financial Landscape: Lessons from My Playbook
Navigating the tumultuous waves of Salem's business scene has given me a unique perspective on the art and science of small business finance. Let me share a few kernels of wisdom from my playbook, distilled from decades of entrepreneurship and mentoring.
The Line of Credit (LOC): A Double-Edged Sword
An LOC can be a business's staunchest ally or its mo…
From the Desk Of Congresswoman Andrea Salinas
Oregon is experiencing an economic revolution powered by advancements in technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure. The 117th Congress was among the most productive in memory with the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Together, these bills account for investments of more than $3.4
Representative Helfrich Sends Letter to Governor Kotek Urging State Disaster Declaration for Oregon Cherry Industry
SALEM, OR – This week, Representative Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River) sent a letter to Governor Tina Kotek urging her to issue a State Disaster for Oregon’s cherry industry.
Sweet cherries are one of the state’s top 20 most valuable commodities, but, due to harsh weather conditions and Oregon’s cherry crop overlapping with California cherry harvest, …
Salem’s New Payroll Tax Hits Our Most Vulnerable Employees
While we all want to live in a safer Salem, the City Council’s plan of a city-wide payroll tax is not the way to get there. The theory is that increasing the budgets of various public services will translate to more effective firefighting, better police enforcement of laws and codes, improved ambulance response times, and a better approach to our expand
Oregon’s Community Hospitals Struggle with Financial Woes Amid Rising Labor Costs and Government Mandates
Oregon’s community hospitals are grappling with ongoing financial challenges, despite marginal improvements in certain aspects. According to data provided by Apprise Health Insights, an entity affiliated with the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, the state’s 62 community hospitals suffered a collective loss of $414 million during the
Oregon Businesses Grapple with Rising Costs: A Deeper Look
Oregon's flourishing landscapes and bustling cities have always been a testament to its growth and potential. Yet, recent findings have given businesses and families cause for concern. As of this spring, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center has ranked Oregon as the state with the 8th highest cost of living in the United States.
While stat…
Let Salem Vote!: Will citizens decide on the employee-paid payroll tax in November?
Salem, Ore. -The Oregon Business & Industry has gathered over 5,000 unverified signatures for the "Let Salem Vote!" petition as of July 30, seeking to put the newly adopted Safe Salem employee-paid payroll tax Ordinance on the November ballot. If the petition is successful, voters would have the chance to reject the nearly 1% payroll tax scheduled to…
Salem City Council meeting on July 10 could decide employee-paid payroll tax:
Salem’s population is growing, but the budget for police, fire, homelessness, and emergency services is falling behind. The City’s 19.4 million General Fund deficit is preventing the maintenance and improvement of emergency services due to property tax limitations. …