National Cattlemen’s Beef Association The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 636 America’s Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio) will make permanent the $500,000 expensing levels for small businesses under Section 179 of the tax code. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President […]

By Oregon Farm Bureau Update on Personal Property Tax Exemptions (HB 2105) HB 2105 would sunset multiple property tax exemptions in 2018, including those related related to agriculture and forestry: 307.315 – Nursery Stock 307.320 – Deciduous trees, shrubs, plants, crops, cultured Christmas trees or hardwood on ag land 307.325 […]

State Senator Herman Baertschiger Jr. aims to liberate rural communities from the tax death trap. By Taxpayer Foundation of Oregon State Senator Herman Baertschiger is bringing to light the tax death trap that rural Oregon is facing. The trap is that rural counties cannot grow due to deadlocked failed land-use […]

Representative Sal Esquivel has a plan to help timber, farming, ranching and boost Oregon’s water levels by tackling the State’s Juniper problem. By Oregon Tax News State Representative Sal Esquivel is working to rid Oregon of the quiet destruction caused by Juniper plants. Juniper interferes with the habitat of sage-grouse […]

By National Association of Wheat Growers A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced major legislation that would end the U.S. trade embargo of Cuba. The bill would end the restrictions on U.S. companies doing business in Cuba that have been in place since 1961. Senators […]

Congressman Greg Walden, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden called for a swift resolution to the labor slowdown affecting ports up and down the West Coast. At a press conference today, Walden outlined the disastrous consequences the crisis has caused for farmers and manufacturers in Oregon, like tree fruit growers in the […]

By Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Oregon is moving to Phase II of its wolf recovery plan after wildlife biologists documented seven breeding pairs of wolves in Oregon in 2014. Of nine known wolf packs, only the Imnaha Pack is not a breeding pair. The Umatilla River pack still […]

By Oregonians for Food and Shelter Oregonians for Food and Shelter Appoints New Executive Director Oregonians for Food and Shelter (OFS) announced today that Katie Fast has been hired as Executive Director. Katie comes with a wealth of natural resource and political experience. For the past 11 years, Katie has […]

First Week of Session: Go Big or Go Home By Oregon Farm Bureau OFB’s New Legislative Outreach Program Oregon Farm Bureau will be using a new program this session-Voter Voice-to help communicate with you on important bills and coordinate your outreach to legislators. Through this program, we can provide links […]

By Rick Sohn Ph.D Umpqua Coquille LLC 2015 looks promising. 30-year mortgage rates are again below 4%, unsold inventories are down, home prices are up steadily, and construction remains above 1 million. Trends of lumber, home construction, and housing markets, are compared to 2005. Interpretation and Looking Ahead. Stud prices […]