Categories: 2014 Best & Worst States

Oregon is the 40th Best State for Business 2013

Previous State: Vermont Next State: Maryland

No. 40Oregon

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: 4.7 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 3.2 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 8.3 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 0.5 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: 13,636 Rank: 10 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 3,533 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 509.2 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 8.4 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -1.49

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: 4.7
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 3.2

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 8.3
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 0.5

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: 13,636
Rank: 10

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 3,533
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 509.2

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 8.4
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -1.49

Key Companies
Nike Precision CastParts StanCorp Financial Schnitzer Street

Development Trend Indicator: Neutral
Looks to tax and fee increases to finance yawning budget hole, but favors Nike.

CEO Comments
“The relatively new income tax in Oregon punishes success and the 16% “death tax” over the $1 million exemption makes Oregon an unacceptable retirement state.” “Oregon is dying because of the business unfriendly environment they create.” “Taxation and regulation are always the key barometers. Massachusetts and Oregon are the worst.” “Oregon has in the past been the beneficiary of some of the most competitive electric energy rates in the nation; however, and quite sadly from my perspective, the State is working hard (unknowing, perhaps) in changing that landscape. Past and pending legislation is making energy rates increase at an alarming/accelerated rate. Truly affordable energy rates are fundamental to a state’s ability to sustain/maintain its current economy and to prosper in the future with effective economic development. Too many legislators talk about affordability, but it is only that – ‘talk’. Our national and state leaders need to fully understand the impact new regulations and laws have on energy costs to our citizens and businesses. Any energy policy goal, I believe, can be made to be affordable in implemented in a thoughtful, deliberative manner that maintains energy cost competitiveness. Our citizens are not, and do not have, bottomless wallets for paying ill-conceived energy targets espoused by a minority.” “Oregon is tied with Hawaii for the highest business tax rate in the U.S. Our property tax rates are also among the highest.” “Portland and Washington, especially SW Washington are moving into the new best place to work. Their culture and environment are extremely supportive of creative, innovative companies. They will in the next few years be the best place to work ‘mecca.’ Government is actively interested in seeing this become reality as is the overall business community.”

CEO Comments

“The relatively new income tax in Oregon punishes success and the 16% “death tax” over the $1 million exemption makes Oregon an unacceptable retirement state.”
“Oregon is dying because of the business unfriendly environment they create.”

“Taxation and regulation are always the key barometers. Massachusetts and Oregon are the worst.”

“Oregon has in the past been the beneficiary of some of the most competitive electric energy rates in the nation; however, and quite sadly from my perspective, the State is working hard (unknowing, perhaps) in changing that landscape. Past and pending legislation is making energy rates increase at an alarming/accelerated rate. Truly affordable energy rates are fundamental to a state’s ability to sustain/maintain its current economy and to prosper in the future with effective economic development. Too many legislators talk about affordability, but it is only that – ‘talk’. Our national and state leaders need to fully understand the impact new regulations and laws have on energy costs to our citizens and businesses. Any energy policy goal, I believe, can be made to be affordable in implemented in a thoughtful, deliberative manner that maintains energy cost competitiveness. Our citizens are not, and do not have, bottomless wallets for paying ill-conceived energy targets espoused by a minority.”

“Oregon is tied with Hawaii for the highest business tax rate in the U.S. Our property tax rates are also among the highest.”

“Portland and Washington, especially SW Washington are moving into the new best place to work. Their culture and environment are extremely supportive of creative, innovative companies. They will in the next few years be the best place to work ‘mecca.’ Government is actively interested in seeing this become reality as is the overall business community.”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Previous State: #39 Vermont Next State: #41 Maryland

J.P. Donlon

J.P. Donlon is Editor Emeritus of Chief Executive magazine.