Oregon Small Business Coalition – Fighting for Oregon’s Recovery

By Jeff Stone, President of the Oregon Small Business Coalition
 

The results are in and Measure 66 and 67 have passed.  Members of the Oregon Small Business Coalition (OSBC) believe our economy will suffer and the tax structure will actually harm small employers.  We feel that Oregonians were led to believe that this was only going to affect wealthy businesses, but this will not be the case.  A tax debate should have been about tax reform – instead we were treated to vilifying the very businesses that will be essential to economic recovery.

We do not fault many of our fellow Oregonians for supporting this measure.  The legislature provided the people with a false choice - education and public service funding versus jobs and economic growth. In fact, we need both.  The budget shortfalls are not over - state budget revenues are still dwindling. Business knows that the one way to get the state healthy again is by creating and maintaining jobs. We literally need to work our way out of this economic downturn.

OSBC continues to believe that business will be the leader in bringing economic recovery to the state.  A thriving business community, both large and small, creates jobs, brings income to families, promotes economic stability and ultimately raises consumer confidence.  The US unemployment rate has crested 10%, Oregon is a leader in that category and that is not something to be proud of. We all have had neighbors, family or friends lose their jobs. Government cannot hire them all – so it will be up to business.

Jeff Stone is President of the OSBC.  The mission of the Oregon Small Business Coalition is to protect and enhance Oregon’s small business environment and to serve as the “Voice for Main Street.”  The members of OSBC are proud to advocate on behalf of Oregon small businesses.  We are YOUR voice.   He can be reached at www.oregonsmallbusinesscoalition.com.