Salem-News.com Employment articles

Forecasters Expect Long-term Job Growth in Oregon

Metro areas are expected to grow at close to the statewide average and half of the state's job growth will be in the Portland area.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon Employment Department has released its projections of employment for 2018. The projections point to modest job growth between 2008 and 2018, although many job openings are expected due to the need to replace workers who leave their current occupations.

The department's forecasters expect economic growth to add more than 160,000 jobs, a gain of 9 percent over the decade. This growth is slightly less than the 10 percent gain that occurred between 1998 and 2008 and much slower than in many prior 10-year periods.

Last Month`s Unemployment Rate in Oregon Still Holding

Oregon’s Employment Situation: October 2009

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 11.3 percent in October from the revised September figure of 11.3 percent.

This was its lowest since the rate was 10.7 percent in February, and was down from the high of 12.2 percent in May. Oregon’s unemployment rate was 7.2 percent in October 2008.

President Obama Launches Major Veterans Employment Initiative

Initiative Would Transform Federal Government into Model of Veterans Employment.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Today, the White House announced the launch of an initiative that is designed to transform the federal government into the model employer of America’s veterans.

This evening, President Obama will be joined by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry to sign an Executive Order on the Employment of Veterans in the federal government, which establishes the Veterans Employment Initiative for the Executive Branch.

Foreclosure Rates in Salem Increase

The mortgage delinquency rate in Salem has increased.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Foreclosure rates in Salem have increased for the month of September over the same period last year.

According to recent data from First American CoreLogic on foreclosures for the Salem area, the rate of foreclosures among outstanding mortgage loans is 1.90 percent for the month of September, an increase of 1.14 percentage points compared to September of 2008 when the rate was 0.75 percent.

Tax Policy: Measures 66 & 67

This is a companion piece to “Tax Policy: History & Ethics of Taxation.”

(EUGENE, Ore.) - In this piece I will look at the practical economic ramifications of the tax increases being put before the voters in the 2010 ballot measures 66 & 67. The vote is a long way off, but there is no reason to not begin considering these issues now.

As the vote approaches, you will increasingly be inundated with propaganda on one side or the other of this issue. It is worthwhile to prepare yourself with a solid understanding of the issue before you are subjected to the sales pitches of various self-interested parties.

Tax Policy: History & Ethics of Taxation

Taxation is a major part of the budget for any individual or business. Looking at this issue with clarity is essential to your financial well being.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Taxes are a source of perennial angst for most citizens. Most people believe that they are being taxed unfairly, and most of them are probably right. Historically, taxation has frequently been a source of injustice.

In European history, the landless population, who were treated as slaves, paid taxes in the form of produce from the land to lords, monarchs, and the church. This system was kept in place through brutal repression, enforced illiteracy and cultural destruction. Conscription of the male population for various wars, which was another form of taxation, was a convenient way of culling the population and eliminating any potential resistance before it could start.

Oregonians `Give Back` in Record Numbers (AUDIO)

One-third of Oregonians do some form of volunteer work.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ONS) - The unemployment rate in Oregon may be high, but so is the rate of volunteerism. In the last year, about one million Oregonians contributed more than 120 million hours of their time for charitable and community service projects.

In this economy, you might assume people would pass up working for free, to look for paying jobs, but Bandana Shreftha, director of community engagement for AARP Oregon, says that hasn't been the case.

Investing for Value

In my reporting at Salem News I will do my best to apply historically informed critical analysis to the most important issues in the areas of investment, economics, business and government that face the citizens of our State.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - I will be joining the Salem News team as a Business reporter. It is our hope that my contributions in this area will expand the scope of coverage at Salem News and increase the value of that coverage for its readers.

In order to introduce myself, I would like to share a little bit about my background, and how I will be approaching this job.

Merkley: GDP Growth a Good Sign for Economy but Focus Must Remain on Job Creation

"For millions of Americans, this recession won’t be over until new businesses can open their doors and existing businesses can expand and create new jobs" -Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has contributed between three and four percentage points to GDP growth. But Senator Jeff Merkley says the effort is far from being complete.

"I’m gratified that after a year of economic decline, the economy is finally growing again. However, GDP growth is not our measure of success, the creation of good jobs at good wages is..."

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Progress Encouraging

CEA Chair Christina Romer comments on the emerging GDP numbers.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - CEA Chair Christina Romer says data released today by the Commerce Department show that real GDP grew at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the third quarter of the year.

"This is in stark contrast to the decline of 6.4 percent annual rate just two quarters ago. Indeed, the two-quarter swing in the rate of growth of 9.9 percentage points was the largest since 1980."