Oregon InC Weekly Media Clips: May 17-30th
Slump fuels funding fears
State lawmakers worry they may have to slash programs
Friday, May 23, 2008 Portland Business Journal - by Andy Giegerich
Oregon lawmakers fear the sluggish economy could yield a 2009 legislative session defined by reduced revenue, slashed program funding and overall fiscal caution. The climate could lead lawmakers to take harder looks at funding for economic development initiatives, such as the popular Oregon Innovation Council, that are still proving their worth. [more]
Statement by Governor Ted Kulongoski on Revenue Forecast
Salem – Today’s revenue forecast delivered positive news for the citizens of Oregon.
Recognizing that Oregonians are feeling the crunch of rising food costs, increasing fuel prices, and an uncertain national economic outlook, it is critical that we continue to budget with prudence, build our reserves and target our investments in our state’s greatest asset – its people. "We took smart fiscal steps last quarter and budgeted for slow economic growth. Now our state revenues are back on a steady path."
SLOW ECONOMIC GROWTH UNACCEPTABLE
Weak Economic and Revenue Forecast Calls for Fiscal Restraint
SALEM—House Republicans today said Oregon’s stagnating economy is unacceptable, and the Legislature must take action to protect jobs and boost economic growth. In light of today’s "flat" revenue and economic forecast, the state should also take immediate steps to bring new government spending under control.
Oregon company wins federal grant for alternative fuel
5/18/2008 The Associated Press
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — A small Oregon startup company developing new technology to convert waste wood and grass into biofuel has won a $100,000 federal grant. Trillium FiberFuels is testing a new method for making cellulosic ethanol from fibrous plant material. The U.S. Energy Department grant last week was the only one made to an Oregon company by the agency's Small Business Innovation Research program. [more].
A bold plan to turn UW into a Stanford died a quiet death
State universities have clumsy and stingy masters in state capitols. Is it time for divorce court? Here's the story of how some people advising the University of Washington looked at such a scheme.
Crosscut Seattle- By David Brewster
"Privatization" is one of the no-nos in the populist politics of this state, where public employees are zealous about protecting their turf and suspicion of corporations runs high. Even so, the concept of shifting costs to the private sector is likely to grow stronger, particularly when it comes to building bridges and transit and new toll roads. [more]
U.S. presidential candidates' views on biofuels
By Kris Bevill May 19, 2008
With so many issues being discussed in the 2008 U.S. presidential race, the candidates have minimal time during a presentation to discuss in depth their views on all the topics. Therefore, EPM is providing a brief summary of Republican nominee John McCain and Democratic nominees Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s agendas for renewable fuels. [more]
Oregon: State income holds steady
May 29 2008
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Oregon isn't immune from the national recession, the state's top economists said Thursday, but it isn't expected to be hit as hard as states like California, Florida and Ohio, which are still reeling from the housing crisis. Though job growth has slowed and unemployment has ticked upward, state revenues are holding steady, largely because of an uptick in personal income tax collections, senior economist Michael Kennedy told the House and Senate Revenue committees. [more]
Oregon economy offers iffy forecast
Phil Knight gives state economy a boost, but clouds loom
Friday, May 30, 2008- DAVE HOGAN The Oregonian
SALEM -- Oregon's economy is faring better than many states', but problems such as rising gas prices and slowed construction threaten to stretch a national downturn into next year, economists told legislators Thursday. For now, state tax collections are on track to avert any cuts in schools and other state services next year, officials projected. [more]
Later-stage Companies Emerging as Top Choice of U.S. Venture Capital Investors
SSTI Weekly Digest
Throughout most of the history of the U.S. venture capital industry, expanding, and not start-up companies, have been the primary focus of venture investors. Recent data from the PricewaterhouseCoopers and National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) annual MoneyTreeTM Report indicates that investors are beginning to focus on even later-stage companies, which could be a problem for entrepreneurs and states trying to attract earlier-stage dollars.
Restructuring State Economic Development Organizations in Oregon, New York
SSTI Weekly Digest
Earlier this month, the governors of Oregon and New York both outlined changes to the structure of their states' lead economic development organizations. Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed Executive Order 08-11 to reorganize the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD).
NNI Reauthorization, "Nanomanufacturing" and U.S. Competitiveness
Nanotechnology Now- May 21st, 2008 By: Skip Rung
Among others (such as Sean Murdock and Dave Rejeski) familiar to readers of Nanotechnology Now columns, I had the privilege of testifying in Congress regarding the crafting of the NNI reauthorization bill - in my case with particular emphasis on commercialization and user facility policies to support industry and small business, categories in which we believe the ONAMI collaboration has made some useful contributions. Now known as HR 5940 - the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008 - this long anticipated bill has been reported out of the Science Committee and awaits action by the full House of Representatives then reconciliation with the Senate. [more]
Germany Debates Subsidies for Solar Industry
The New York Times- By MARK LANDLER- May 16, 2008
THALHEIM, Germany — This sad stretch of eastern Germany, with its deserted coal mines and corroded factories, epitomizes post-industrial gloom. It is a place where even the clouds rarely seem to part. A solar cell is checked on the assembly line at Q-Cells in Thalheim, Germany. More than 40,000 people work in the photovoltaic industry in Germany, helping to revive once-blighted areas [more]
Voxtel Announces Negotiation of Long-term Lease at Lorry I. Lokey Nanotechnology Laboratories
May 6, 2008 - Beaverton, OR - Today, Voxtel, Inc. announces it has completed the negotiation of a long-term lease to occupy private development laboratories at the ONAMI (Orgeon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute) Lorry I. Lokey Laboratories located at the University of Oregon (UO) Eugene campus. [more]
