Then again, it usually doesn’t. Last week, U.S. Customs and Immigration Service announced that it reached the maximum number of applications allowed for H-2B guest worker visas during the second half of fiscal 2009, which starts April 1. Out of the 50,000 applications received, USCIS will randomly select 33,000 visa recipients. The number was reached […]
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. […]
Minimum wage now $8.40 per hour
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It’s a familiar pattern: new year, new minimum wage. In Oregon, the state-mandated hourly rate is now $8.40, up 45 cents from $7.95 in 2008. Under Oregon law, the wage rises each year, automatically, based on increases in the consumer price index. As one might expect, many papers did stories on the new minimum wage, […]
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 […]
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 […]
How you’re holding up
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In response to our earlier post, one operator commented that their biggest concern about weather impacts centers around employees: The plants will work out one way or another. Too early to tell anyway. I feel bad idling my workers though. I will give them some compensation even though they are not able to work. I […]
Columbia County measure challenged (updated)
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Note: Item originally posted 11.Dec; updated 12.Dec with new stories Columbia County Measure 5-190 – the illegal-worker law modeled after Arizona’s controversial law – has been challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union and other plaintiffs. They made a filing on Thursday in Columbia County Circuit Court. Coverage: The Daily News (Longview, Wash.) – Story […]
Governor’s chief of staff visits nursery leaders
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Chip Terhune, chief of staff for Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, visited with members of the OAN Government Relations Committee yesterday. Association officials deemed it significant that the governor’s top aide would come to listen to the views and concerns of green industry leaders. “It speaks to the strength and credibility of our organization,” OAN Director […]
Is illegal worker law legal?
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Columbia County’s legal department has asked a Columbia County Circuit Court judge to rule on the legality of the proposed county ordinance which would enforce Measure 5-190, the illegal worker measure that passed in the Nov. 4 election. Now go back and read that again, carefully. Did you catch it? The court would rule on […]
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