Plywood
Wikipedia photo
Oregon’s congressional delegation has gotten behind a move to punish China for again dumping below cost products on American markets. This time it’s plywood. And the story is in the Oregonian. Click here.
Nov 152012
Oct 222012
A book is about to be released by a former Wall Street “shining star” who was rising within the ranks of Goldman Sachs, enroute to a stellar career as an investments manager. But when he got within eyeshot of the top he quit. Soonafter he wrote a book about what he believes he saw. And the book is about to be released.
The Oregonian has the story. Click here.
Oct 182012
The chorus of claims that America’s tax code is unsustainable is beginning to get even more traction here in Oregon. An analysis of Oregon incomes is showing increasingly that wealth continues to flow predominantly upwards rather than outward toward middle class workers. The story is in the Oregonian. Click here.
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Aug 312012
According to Arizona State University researchers, the Portland Metro, on both sides of the river, is among the top 10 fastest growing metropolitan economies in the country. The story is in the Oregonian. Click here.
Aug 292012
Confirming again what has been well covered on the national stage, Oregonians are working harder than ever for less. Incomes now have fallen to a pay range in effect 32 years ago. On the other hand, Oregonians in the top 1% of income earners are making twice what they made over that same time period.
The dismal statistics are found in this article in the Statesman Journal. Click here.
Aug 232012
Pent up demand and low mortgage interest rates are finally beginning to boost home sales across the country, including here in Oregon. After most homes lost a third of their pre-2007 value and the fact that mortgage rates are where they were in the 1950′s, even housing appraisers (about a third of which left the profession) are struggling to keep up with demands for appraisals.
The rest of the story is in the Oregonian. Click here.
Aug 152012
Portland State University Professor Tom Potiowsky recently offered some insight into Oregon’s bumpy experience on the so-called “Road to Recovery from the Recession.” Professor Potiowsky, with his trademark humorous lively style, outlined what has been happening to Oregon’s economy, and its relationship to the rest of the country, along with some comparative comments between Oregon and our immediate neighbor to the north. Enjoy some fun learning that lasts about a half-hour as presented at an Oregon Community Foundation meeting in Corvallis.
P.S: You’ll notice that Newport’s “man-about-town” Frank Geltner was in the audience copiously taking notes.
Aug 082012
Courtesy photo
While most of the world’s economy has been on the skids for the past four years, China’s economic growth has kept humming along at nearly double digit rates. Until now. China’s economic performance has fallen back for what appears to be a “cooling off” period while market demand within China catches up with its own housing and industrial development. What it means is that with dropping Chinese demand for raw logs from the U.S., Russia and other Pacific Rim countries, log prices will drop, even here at home. It means that local mills will get logs at reduced prices which will enhance not only their activity but also their bottom lines.
The story is in the Oregonian. Click here.
Jul 252012
Courtesy photo
Senator Jeff Merkley has introduced legislation that would direct funds to homeowners who owe more on their house than it is now worth, due to the recession. Merkley’s approach is for the government to set up a trust fund that would allow homeowners to refinance their mortgages at today’s historic low rates, which, in turn, would direct more of their household income into efforts to rejuvenate the economy.
The details is in the Oregonian. Click here.
