PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A recent statewide survey of business owners and local leaders shows what may be hindering Oregon’s economic growth.

Governor Tina Kotek’s Prosperity Council shared the results earlier this week, which includes input from more than 1,000 respondents in 35 of the state’s 36 counties.

The 16-member council was formed in January to advise the governor on her Prosperity Roadmap, which is an effort to bring more economic opportunities to Oregon.

The survey focused on business climate, tools and growth, and workforce and will be used to help determine what policy recommendations the council offers in June.

Overall, the respondents showed frustration in permitting delays and concerns about the lack of development-ready land and infrastructure. 

There were also calls to overhaul the state’s Corporate Activity Tax, which was enacted in 2019 and is based on a business’s commercial activity. It applies to businesses with more than $1 million in commercial activity within the state.

One respondent wrote that Oregon’s reputation as a place that’s hostile to mid- and large-sized businesses is somewhat deserved. Numerous participants expressed concern over the lack of quality public education in the state.

Workforce development was another common issue. Survey respondents called for expanding Career and Technical Education programs so they can better meet industry needs. There were also calls to address structural barriers, such as lack of housing, childcare and transportation.

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PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Gov. Tina Kotek held a ceremonial bill signing Thursday morning for a package of immigrant justice laws at the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization in northeast Portland.

The package includes multiple measures affecting schools, courts, workplaces, law enforcement and healthcare:

• House Bill 4079 requires K-12 schools and higher education institutions to adopt policies for responding when federal immigration authorities enter campus property.
• House Bill 4111 prohibits using a person’s immigration status as evidence in civil cases, expands protections against workplace retaliation tied to work authorization updates and broadens profiling laws to include immigration status.
• House Bill 4114 allows civil action against individuals who enter certain property without a warrant or legal exception.
• House Bill 4138 requires law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves and limits the use of masks.
• Senate Bill 1538 ensures equal access to public education by requiring school districts to admit all eligible students.
• Senate Bill 1570, known as the Healthcare Without Fear Act, requires hospitals to establish policies for interactions with law enforcement and designate restricted areas not open to the public.
• Senate Bill 1587 restricts public agencies from sharing personal data with brokers unless it will not be used for federal immigration enforcement.
• Senate Bill 1594 directs the state to develop model policies related to immigration status in response to federal actions.

The healthcare measure requires hospitals to set procedures for law enforcement presence, assign a staff liaison and classify immigration status and place of birth as protected information. It also allows providers to share information about immigration rights and legal services with patients.

SEE ALSO: Multnomah County unanimously approves ordinance expanding sanctuary protections

The law follows changes at the federal level that removed prior limits on immigration enforcement in locations like hospitals and schools. Supporters say the new policy aims to ensure patient privacy and maintain access to care regardless of immigration status.

Oregon Republicans have raised concerns that state policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities could affect public safety. In a Feb. 2026 statement, the Oregon Senate Republican Caucus criticized Democratic lawmakers for rejecting a proposal that would have required coordination with federal officials when people without legal status are convicted of serious crimes.

Republican leaders said the policy debate centers on whether state agencies should notify federal authorities before releasing people convicted of violent felonies. Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr called such coordination “common sense.”

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