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Card check fight heads to airwaves

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With a new Congress now in session, pro-union advocates are taking to the airwaves with a campaign promoting the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). This proposal, often called the “card-check bill,” would allow union organizers to represent workplaces in which they can get 50 percent plus one of the employees to sign a card favoring […]

Do ask, do tell

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Metal thefts long have been a concern for nurseries and growers. The thieves target irrigation pipes and other pieces of equipment, and then sell them anonymously to scrap metal dealers for cash (often to fund drug habits). That’s why the Oregon Association of Nurseries has been among the strongest voices asking for greater enforcement and […]

OAN legislative agenda

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The Oregon Association of Nurseries announced its federal and state legislative agendas for 2009. On the federal level, the top priority continues to be comprehensive immigration reform, which includes border security, an adjustment of status for workers currently in the United States, and a visa system that is flexible and provides for a future flow […]

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Now that the historic moment has passed and President Barack Obama has been sworn in, expect to start seeing (and hearing) more analysis on how the new administration will affect agriculture and the nursery industry. Here’s a well-rounded piece from the California Farm Bureau Federation.

The great immigration debate

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The Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee played host yesterday to a discussion on U.S. immigration policy. The presenters were Coalition for a Working Oregon Co-Chairman and OAN Government Relations Director Jeff Stone and Oregonians for Immigration Reform President Jim Ludwick. Each gave a 10 minute presentation, and then there was a question-and-answer period. […]

Nurseryman a finalist for Clackamas County Commission

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Jim Gilbert was named as one of five finalists for a vacant position on the Clackamas County Commission. Gilbert is the owner of wholesale grower Northwoods Nursery and its retail/online arm, One Green World, both located near Molalla. Gilbert has twice run for the Oregon House of Representatives as a Democrat, but lost. The commission […]

The great immigration debate

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The Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee will be hosting a debate on immigration reform on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at the chamber offices, 29600 S.W. Park Place, Wilsonville, Ore. Jeff Stone of the Coalition for a Working Oregon will appear with Jim Ludwick of the group Oregonians for Immigration Reform. The meeting is scheduled […]

Bailout bill contains provisions that can help nurseries

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When Congress passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, better known as the bailout package, it provided $700 billion in relief to the troubled financial industry. However, it also included many provisions that could benefit the nursery and greenhouse industry directly through tax incentives and other tax deductions. Steve Shropshire of the law firm […]

U.S. Chamber challenges new E-Verify rule

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Earlier we reported that thanks to Department of Homeland Security rulemaking, the use of E-Verify will be required of all federal contractors as of Jan. 16, 2009 (although there will be some exceptions). The date raised eyebrows because it will come less than a week before a new administration takes office. Now, The

The next secretary of labor

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U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) will be nominated as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor – a move that has union leaders cheering and business leaders more pessimistic. Nursery industry advocates see a mixed picture. Some are concerned by her record as a leading congressional advocate for card check legislation. According to this short profile […]