Oregon Delays Personal Income Tax Deadline Until July
OPB
Oregonians who’ve delayed filing their personal income taxes suddenly have one less urgent item on their to-do list.
Coronavirus in Oregon (March 26): People in their 40s account for 1 in 5 cases statewide
The Oregonian
Oregon officials have started disclosing key metrics about confirmed coronavirus cases, as well as more information about their own preparedness efforts. The move followed calls for greater transparency by media outlets statewide. Among the new details: more detailed age ranges for the 268 people in Oregon who have so far tested positive for COVID-19.
After media pressure, Oregon begins disclosing key numbers on coronavirus cases, readiness
The Oregonian
At the direction of Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, the Oregon Health Authority on Wednesday began disclosing more information about the growing number of coronavirus cases and the capacity of the state’s hospitals to handle them.
Oregon governor blames feds for shortage of protective equipment during coronavirus outbreak
The Oregonian
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown used her daily media briefing Wednesday to call out federal authorities for the ongoing shortage of protective equipment for healthcare workers during the coronavirus outbreak.
Gov. Kate Brown Speaks In-Depth About Oregon’s COVID-19 Response
OPB
On Wednesday, the governor spoke with “Think Out Loud” host Dave Miller about the state’s response, criticisms of her “stay home” request and then order, school closures, frustration with the federal government and other issues.
Surge In Oregon’s COVID-19 Testing Capacity Expected This Week
OPB
A new shipment of COVID-19 test swabs, combined with additional testing capacity at Oregon hospitals, will allow thousands more tests to be performed across the state in the next few days.
Oregon faces ‘severe recession,’ but its length depends on coronavirus
The Oregonian
Regardless, experts say the state is certainly looking at a severe contraction, though the depth and length are almost wholly dependent on whether the spread of COVID-19 is quickly curtailed and day-to-day economic activity can resume.
Coronavirus Could Kill Many Oregon Ballot Initiative Campaigns
OPB
This is the season when Oregon initiative campaigns normally crank up their canvassing drives to gain enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot.
Can Oregon’s Best Salespeople Convince Residents To Stay Home?
OPB
In a bid to impress the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic on residents, Gov. Kate Brown’s office is working with high-profile ad firm Wieden+Kennedy to craft a messaging campaign anticipated to roll out in coming days.
Religious And Faith Communities Continue Services Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
OPB
Faith leaders said the biggest issue with only providing livestreaming and virtual services is the lack of interactivity, especially as many people are already feeling isolated.
Coronavirus infections near 500,000 worldwide as health systems buckle
Associated Press
The number of coronavirus infections closed in on a half-million worldwide Thursday, with both Italy and the U.S. on track to surpass China, and a record-shattering 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week in a stark demonstration of the damage to the world’s biggest economy.
Initial jobless claims surged to record 3.3M last week as coronavirus takes heavy toll on economy
USA TODAY
The number of Americans filing initial applications for unemployment benefits jumped nearly twelvefold to a record 3.28 million last week, the Labor Department said Thursday, offering the most vivid evidence yet of the outbreak’s widespread damage to the economy.
Opinion
Editorial: Delay corporate activity tax collection for all
The Bulletin
The first payment of Oregon’s new Corporate Activity Tax — a 0.57% assessment on most corporations’ activity above $1 million in the state — is due April 30. Now, however, with the novel coronavirus pandemic creating problems for businesses large and small, legislators are talking about delaying collecting the tax, at least for some. It’s the wrong approach. The tax should be put on hold across the board.