[continued from previous message]   
      
   Matthews, CEO of the Chamber of Medford and Jackson County, said that   
   the state needs to make a stronger push to market itself as “open for   
   business.”   
      
   “I think Salem needs to get the perspective right that business in   
   Oregon needs to be a top priority.” he said. “It’d be great to have big   
   businesses move to Oregon, but I think it’s going to take a lot on the   
   statewide level to change that perception.”   
      
   In Beaverton, Chamber CEO Alicia Bermes said she hasn’t heard from   
   members planning to leave the state but noted that most of the   
   businesses that dropped out of the chamber had closed altogether because   
   they weren’t making a profit.   
      
   Bermes said she’s asked legislators to not make it harder for businesses   
   or create another tax, noting Beaverton’sis 95% small businesses —   
   meaning most businesses have fewer than 50 employees.   
      
   “We’re number one in saying caring words,” she said. “However, how do   
   you do that and keep businesses? Our businesses want to be socially   
   responsible, but they also want to thrive. And I think you can do both   
   things.”   
      
   Governor says she’s committed to growing business   
   Gov. Tina Kotek’s office said she is committed to improving the state’s   
   business climate.   
      
   “The governor firmly believes we should be doing everything we can to   
   retain and recruit businesses,” spokeswoman Roxy Mayer told the Capital   
   Chronicle. “She is committed to using every tool at her disposal to make   
   Oregon a place where businesses want to locate and grow.”   
      
   Kotek alongside Portland officials called for a three-year pause on new   
   taxes in the Portland metro area, and she worked with Portland Mayor   
   Keith Wilson to waive development fees for housing projects over the   
   three years. She has also directed dollars through Business Oregon and   
   the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund to support companies that create   
   and retain jobs.   
      
   Mayer said the governor views economic growth as linked to broader   
   quality-of-life issues.   
      
   “A solid economy and thriving business environment depend on every   
   person having access to a stable and safe home, healthcare when it’s   
   needed and a quality public education system,” Mayer said.   
      
   YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.   
      
   SUPPORT   
   Creative Commons License   
   Republish   
   Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons   
   license   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)