Oregon has seen several significant stories this week. According to KATU News, hundreds of nurses at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham are preparing for a possible strike after negotiations with Legacy Health failed to yield an agreement over pay and staffing. The standoff comes as hospital staffing remains a top concern for patient safety and system sustainability. Meanwhile, the city of Grants Pass settled a closely watched lawsuit involving its homeless policy, which has led policymakers across the state to assess their approaches to unsheltered populations. In the retail sector, the opening of the first 99 Ranch Market in Portland is filling a grocery gap for many local neighborhoods.Oregon’s state legislature wrapped up its 2025 session in late June, delivering several policy changes set to impact employers and workers statewide. A key update is Senate Bill 69, which clarifies procedures for employees returning from Paid Leave Oregon, and Senate Bill 916, which for the first time allows striking workers to receive up to ten weeks of unemployment benefits effective January 1, 2026. House Bill 3187 addresses age-based discrimination in hiring by prohibiting most employers from requesting age or graduation information from applicants, while House Bill 2688 expands the prevailing wage law to more types of off-site construction work. According to Ballard Spahr, employers will also need to provide more detailed pay statement disclosures by January 2026, reflecting a broader trend towards greater transparency and worker protections.On the economic front, inflation and labor shortages remain a pressing issue for businesses. The National Federation of Independent Business Oregon is pushing for an increase in the Corporate Activity Tax exemption from one to five million dollars, which would exclude more than seventy percent of the state’s small businesses from the tax. Policymakers are also considering amending Oregon’s Equal Pay Law so hiring and retention bonuses would be allowed—a measure widely supported by employers seeking more flexibility in recruitment. At the same time, the city of Portland has launched a Legacy Business Preservation Study to consider new supports for locally owned businesses with deep community roots.Community news includes a bond measure from Oregon City School District aiming to update aging elementary schools and expand career and technical education spaces, continuing a long-term effort to improve school infrastructure. Children’s Institute highlighted the launch of the Child Care Infrastructure Fund, a recent fifty million dollar statewide investment to expand child care and preschool facilities, but notes that supply challenges persist, with seventy-five percent of Oregon communities still considered child care deserts.Clackamas firefighters responded quickly to a townhome fire in Oak Grove, safely rescuing two trapped residents, as reported on KGW. Also in public safety, Portland police made an arrest after a suspect pointed a firearm at a family in Gresham, further underlining ongoing urban safety concerns.In weather, listeners across Portland experienced brief but welcome showers, with meteorologist Joe Ranieri noting about a quarter inch of rain in the metro area—cooling temperatures and easing local drought anxieties, though no major weather emergencies were reported.Looking ahead, debate continues in Salem over a massive new transportation funding package, including potential gas tax and fee hikes, with skepticism running high after ODOT’s recent revenue forecasting errors. Meanwhile, the 110-day countdown continues toward Portland Mayor’s deadline to end unsheltered homelessness in the city. Listeners can also expect further community engagement opportunities as Portland’s Legacy Business Study moves forward.Thank you for tuning in and be sure to subscribe. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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