Bend City Council moved one step closer to a city-wide Transportation Utility Fee (TUF) as they passed a new ordinance and fee structure earlier this week. The first phase of TUF will generate $5 million in new revenue to fund street operations and maintenance. The...
In stark contrast to the prior year, the 2024 Legislative Session was quick and efficient. Nearly 300 bills were introduced over the 32-day session of which a third crossed the finish line. As expected, the focus was housing production, Measure 110 reform and...
SDC Methodology Update Earlier this week, city staff presented stakeholder feedback and policy considerations for revisions to the SDC Methodology. The initial proposal, presented in January, generated significant concerns about double and triple digit increases to...
The 2024 Legislative Session is underway and moving quickly towards adjournment on March 10th. Nearly 300 bills have been introduced, of which half or less are moving forward after the first round of deadlines last week. As expected, the focus has been on housing...
On Thursday, February 8, 2024, Governor Tina Kotek announced a broad coalition supporting her housing production bill, which is building momentum in the 2024 legislative session. Senate Bill 1537 received its first hearing this morning before the Senate Committee On...
With the new year comes change, and businesses in Oregon can expect 2024 to be a big year. Policy discussions at the State Capitol and closer to home in City Council chambers will have implications for businesses in the coming year. The Oregon Legislature will meet...
On her first full day in office, Governor Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 23-04 which set a housing production goal of 36,000 homes per year and established the Housing Production Advisory Council, a council of experts charged with developing an action plan to meet...
As Bend continues to grow, so does the wear and tear on the City’s transportation system. Until now, the City has relied on the State Gas Tax and local property taxes to underwrite road maintenance. However, new revenue modeling has shown that those sources are...
Oregon has a housing crisis, and in Central Oregon, we know this all too well. Our community has seen a drastic increase in housing prices, double-digit rent increases and low inventory. Investments in housing were a focal point for legislators during the 2023...
Bend Chamber helps secure $25 million for Hawthorne Avenue Overcrossing.
Springtime is the season for budget setting, and as such the City of Bend is engaged in budget setting processes for the next cycle. The city runs a biennial budget and adjusts annually based on projected revenue and community expenses. Citizen engagement is key as a...
–The Legislature has hit the halfway mark and several important deadlines have come and gone. Notably, the April 4th deadline for bills to pass through their first Chamber committee of reference (or be referred to Rules or Revenue Committees). Roughly half of the...
Earlier this week, the Bend Urban Renewal Agency approved two business assistance programs to support Core Area business development. Read more about these programs and their impact on our community
This session the Chamber is tracking over 125 bills in a variety of issue areas from economic development and tax reform to childcare and housing issues. This week we’re focusing on the Corporate Activities Tax commonly known as the “CAT tax.”
The Chamber is tracking nearly over 75 bills in a variety of issue areas from economic development and tax reform to child care and housing issues. In short, there is a lot under discussion in Salem.
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