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 Bend Chamber
 777 NW Wall St, Ste 200
 Bend, OR 97701

 Phone: (541) 382-3221
 Fax: (541) 385-9929
 info@bendchamber.org
 www.bendchamber.org

Bend Chamber Weekly
October 24, 2008
By Courtney Linville, Communications Coordinator

This Week's Highlights...

• BAT Survey Results

• Ballot Measures Made Easy Recap

• Consumer Electronics Association predicts slight increase in sales

• BendBroadband to deploy new Moxi HD DVR

• Halloween Safety Tips

• In the news

• Upcoming Chamber Events

     A few weeks ago, the Bend Chamber Transportation Committee conducted a survey about the proposed Bend Area Transportation District. There were 256 Chamber members who participated in the survey. The committee would like to share the results with members.
     1. Is the formation of a new taxing district to support the Bend Area Transit system a good move for our community?
               a. Yes – 46.5%
               b. No – 53.5%
      2. Do any of your employees currently use the Bend Area Transit system on a regular basis and if yes, how often?
               a. Yes, 4 or more rides a week – 9.3%
               b. Yes, 2 to 3 rides a week – 8.4%
               c. No – 82.3%
     3. In your opinion, does a public transportation system help your business with recruiting and retaining employees?
               a. Yes – 30.3%
               b. No – 69.7%
     4. Will you vote in favor of the formation of the Bend Area Transportation District in November?
               a. Yes – 42.9%
               b. No – 57.1%
     The Transportation Committee would like to thank all the members who participated in the survey.
 

Ballot Measures Made Easy Recap

     Last Friday former Oregon State Senator Neil Bryant provided an informative presentation during the Bend Chamber’s Ballot Measures Made Easy event. For those members who were unable to attend the event, we have a brief recap of some of Bryant’s explanations.
     State Measure 54 – Eligibility for School Board Elections. According to Bryant, this measure will amend the Oregon Constitution voting requirements from 21 years of age to 18 years of age. This would be in line with the U.S. Constitution and federal law. Bryant doesn’t foresee any opposition to this measure.
     State Measure 55 – Changes operative date of redistricting plans. Based on U.S. census results, the lines of a representative or senator’s district could change. Currently, the law states those representatives would be assigned to another district when the redistricting occurs. Bryant states this measure would allow representatives and senators to finish out their terms representing the districts there were elected from. No opposition is expected on this issue.
     State Measure 56 – Property tax elections decided by majority of voters. Currently, Oregon follows the double majority rule where a majority of voters need to participate in the election in order to pass property tax measures. This measure would form a compromise and eliminate the requirement for voter turnout for May and November elections. Bryant explained property tax measures could pass based on the majority of people who vote.
     State Measure 57 – Increase Sentences/Measure 61 - Mandatory Prison Sentences. Bryant explained both measures do basically the same thing, however there are a few variations. Measure 57 is the less expensive of the two, includes addiction treatment, and would need to have at least one and a half new prisons built. Measure 61 would cost more and need up to at least three prisons built. Bryant stated if people are concerned about the state budget and want more money to go to places other than the prison system to vote for Measure 57. This measure is also backed by most district attorneys because they have more decisions on sentences. Both 57 and 61 are polling well. If both receive more than 50 percent of the vote, the measure that received the most votes will become law.
     State Measure 58 – Prohibits teaching public school students in language other than English for more than 2 years. Students who speak English as a second language would be allowed to be taught in their native language for no more than two years. Bryant pointed out the School District Teachers Union and Defend Oregon are against this measure.
     State Measure 59 – Unlimited deduction for FIT on individual Oregon income-tax returns. Oregonians are currently allowed to deduct up to $5,500 of federal income taxes on their Oregon income-tax returns. The passage of this measure would allow an unlimited deduction by individual taxpayers. Bryant says if this measure is passed the state of Oregon could lose quite a bit of money. He said around 86 percent of the general fund is from income tax. Only about 20 percent of taxpayers in Oregon would benefit from this measure. Bryant believes this measure will be defeated.
     State Measure 60 – Teacher pay raises dependent on “classroom performance,” not seniority. If passed teachers raises would be dependent on merit rather than seniority. School systems would also have to develop a system of evaluation. Bryant says the teacher’s union wants to defeat this as well as several other unions.
     State Measure 62 – 15 percent of lottery proceeds to public safety. If passed this measure would dedicate 15 percent of lottery funds to public safety. This would decrease funding for some programs and other programs might be eliminated. Bryant said there would be no money left for economic development, higher education could also lose research funds, etc. “If this passes, we will lose that source,” he said.
     State Measure 63 – Exempts owners from permit requirements for improvements less than $35,000. This measure is not favorable for cities or counties. If the measure passes, a person who does a small improvement to their house will not have to take out a permit or have an inspection. Fire departments are worried about this because the potential for fires increases. Bryant says cities and counties could also loose up to $40 million in permit fees.
     State Measure 65 – Changes general election nomination process; all candidates run in single primary; top two compete in general election. This measure would create an open primary. No matter what voters' party affiliation was, everyone would receive the same ballot. Only the top two candidates from the primary election would compete in the general election.
     Local Measure 9-58 – COCC General Obligation Bond. If passed, this measure would provide funds for capital construction and improvements. Bryant pointed out this is very timely because the library levy is being paid off this year. He said normally this measure would pass overwhelmingly, but concerns about the economic crisis could impact voters.
     Local Measure 9-60 – Bend Area Transit District. Bryant says this could be difficult to pass due to the economy, the stigma of the system, and the inclusion of Deschutes River Woods. He pointed out typically Deschutes River Woods residents tend to lean toward a no vote on issues like this.
     Local Measure 9-61 – Deschutes County Transient Room Tax. If passed, this measure would increase the transient room tax to 8 percent in September of 2009 and to 9 percent in September of 2010. Bryant explained 70 percent of the funds from the room tax could only be used to promote tourism or tourism related facilities. In turn, the County could use some of the funds to repair and maintain roads or help with snow removal to Mt. Bachelor. Bryant says the lodging association does not like this measure.
 

Consumer Electronics Association predicts slight increase in sales

     The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) recently predicted sales for consumer electronics could increase by 3.5 percent in the fourth quarter. However, this number is actually half of what the CEA predicted last year for holiday sales.
     The CEA conducted a telephone survey of 1,000 adults at the end of September. The study showed mobile phones will probably be the hot ticket item with a 1.7 percent growth. This is very good new for retailers.
     The top three wish list items for adults are a notebook or laptop computer, a television, and a cellular phone. Teens wish list includes a computer, video came console, and an MP3 player.
     However, the study also pointed out sales of gifts, greeting cards, and decorations could be down as much as 14 percent. Participants reported due to economics, they simply do not have the money and plan to cutback.

BendBroadband to deploy new Moxi HD DVR

     According to a recent report by This Week In Consumer Electronics (TWICE), BendBroadband will soon start offering the MOXI HD DVR 3012 digital cable box to Central Oregonians.
     Diego, a multimedia cable TV equipment developer, stated this is the “second order and “deployment of its next generation DVR that incorporates a dual HD-tuner.”
     The new DVR is full of advanced features including a full DVR functionality, multi-stream CableCARD support, external storage options, and data mining via the Moxi portal.
     BendBroadband President and CEO Amy Tykeson told TWICE, “There is simply no better user interface available than Moxi due to its ease of use and functionality. The Moxi 3012 HD DVR has the features and interactivity that customers want at an improved price point. We are excited to introduce the next generation of Moxi to our Central Oregon customers.”
 

Halloween Safety Tips

     Halloween is just around the corner and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office wants to make sure everyone is safe this year. Here are some reminder tips for motorists:
     1. Watch for children on streets, alleys, cross-walks and driveways.
     2. Slow down when driving through a residential area.
     3. Stay alert. Children could dart out into traffic.
     4. Be careful when backing out of driveways and parking lots.
     The Sheriff’s Office is providing free Glow Sticks, Glow in the Dark Pencils, Trick-Or-Treat Bags, and safety tips. These items are available, during business hours, while supplies last at all four offices located at: 63333 W. Highway 20 in Bend, 703 N. Larch in Sisters, 51340 Highway 97 in La Pine, and 8154 11th Street in Terrebonne.
     If you have additional questions or concerns about Halloween safety, please contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 383-4431.
 

    Bend listed on 100 Best Places to Live & Launch a Company: According to Fortune Small Business, Bend is among one of the top 100 Best Places to Live and Launch in 2008. Bend was listed as number 87 on the list. Fortune picked the winners based on business friendliness and different lifestyle offerings. Several Oregon cities made the list as well including Portland, Corvallis, and Eugene.
     Council approves $2.4 million land deal: Les Schwab will not be the only business located within Juniper Ridge. On Wednesday, the Bend City Council approved a $2.4 million land deal with Suterra, a biotech company. Suterra is purchasing 8 acres of land north of the Les Schwab headquarters. The agreement is contingent on a letter from the company’s bank stating funds are available for the purchase. Any further development within Juniper Ridge is on hold until the city and the Oregon Department of Transportation can come to an agreement on the U.S. Highway 97 and Cooley Road intersection. City officials hope to have a solution as early as next spring.
     Is a second stimulus package on the horizon?: Some lawmakers are talking about another stimulus package. According to CNNMoney, “On Monday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told House lawmakers that ‘consideration of a fiscal package by the Congress at this juncture seems appropriate’ given the risk of a ‘protracted slowdown.’" Lawmakers are going back and forth on this possibility, and some are examining when it would be a good time to start the package. Bernanke has said the stimulus package should be implemented at a peak time when economic activity is expected to be at its weakest. The previous package was $168 billion. CNNMoney reports the new package could range anywhere from $150 to $300 billion.
     Yard Debris: FireFree will host a Fire Sale at Knott Landfill November 1 through November 16, 2008. Over a sixteen day period, Deschutes Recycling will accept flammable yard waste and debris at Knott Landfill for half off the regular price. This means residents will pay $2 per yard to dispose of flammable yard waste. FireFree encourages residents to complete their fall clean up and maintenance of defensible space by bringing branches, leaves, shrubs and pine needles to the Recycling Depot at Knott Landfill during this time. The Recycling Depot at Knott Landfill is located at 61050 SE 27th Street in Bend. Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.