AGP Executive Report

Medicaid Enforcement: New York AG Letitia James and DOJ partners secured a $36.5 million settlement from CVS over Medicaid insulin overbilling, a reminder that health-care fraud cases can quickly turn into big, multi-state payouts. Oregon Energy/Transport: EWEB paused its Eugene e-bike rebate program after demand spiked, while Gov. Tina Kotek named chief of staff Chris Warner as interim ODOT director as the agency faces ongoing funding uncertainty. Business Moves: Grocery Outlet reshuffled leadership, adding Paul Miller as chief purchasing and merchandising officer and promoting Ian Ferry to CFO; Summit Bank also tapped Brad Volchok as senior VP in Hillsboro. Food & Safety: FDA expanded a pet food recall tied to dangerously low thiamine levels in certain GO Raw products. Local Economy & Housing: Portland’s Home Forward faces a reported $35 million shortfall and looming insolvency risk, and Salem advanced its 2027 budget proposal toward a final vote. Deals & Jobs: Second Nature Brands is buying Tillamook Country Smoker, signaling continued growth in Oregon-made protein snacks.

Renewables Tax Credits: A federal judge struck down an IRS rule that removed the “Five Percent Safe Harbor” for wind and solar projects, sending the guidance back and warning it could mean less clean power and higher electricity prices—an important win for groups including the Oregon Environmental Council. Oregon Health Funding: All 36 Oregon counties approved updated County Financial Assistance Agreements with the Oregon Health Authority, shifting priorities toward people most at risk of hospitalization, incarceration, homelessness, or behavioral health crises. H-1B Visa Fee Blocked: A judge ruled Trump’s $100,000 H-1B employer fee is an unlawful tax, a reprieve for Oregon and other states that sued; the administration says it will appeal. County Administration: Benton County appointed Rick Crager as county administrator, keeping leadership in-house after his interim stint. Tourism Leadership: Travel Oregon named Kate Sinner as its next executive director, starting July 6, as the agency looks to build on tourism’s economic role. Wildfire Safety Tech: A St. Paul company’s “Heatwave Floats” let aircraft scoop water from nearby lakes in about 15 seconds, aiming to speed early wildfire suppression. Local Radio Loss: Hermiston’s KOHU shut down after 70 years, leaving listeners without a key source of local news and sports.

Clean Energy Court Win: A federal judge vacated a Trump-era IRS rule that made it harder for wind and solar projects to qualify for federal tax credits, sending the guidance back for reconsideration—another setback for efforts to slow clean energy buildout. Immigration & Tech Hiring: A judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B application fee as an unlawful tax, a reprieve for U.S. employers that rely on foreign talent. Oregon Business & Affordability: Eugene and Springfield business leaders met with Sen. Jeff Merkley to warn that rising costs and shifting federal policies are squeezing payrolls, customers, and food budgets. Disaster Relief: SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for Oregon counties hit by Dec. 2025 storms, with deadlines and FEMA-style mitigation options for eligible applicants. Agriculture Land Protection: Oregon farmland owners are increasingly using conservation easements to lock in protections beyond what lawmakers can change. Public Health: Warmer weather is driving a surge in tick risk and Lyme disease concerns, with guidance on staying safe outdoors. Energy Costs Watch: Gas prices in Oregon fell week over week, offering brief relief while analysts warn oil supply risks remain.

Oregon Business & Community: Lane County is urging businesses to prepare for above-normal wildfire danger, warning that operations can be hit even when fires are far away. Local Economy & Growth: Arcimoto founder Mark Frohnmayer has registered a new Eugene business, Archetrike, signaling fresh activity after Arcimoto’s vehicle production ended. Energy & Markets (Global, with Oregon relevance): New reports project rapid growth in second-generation biofuels and thermoelectric generators, driven by demand for cleaner power and waste-heat recovery. Policy & National Business Climate: The Senate voted to fund immigration enforcement agencies for the rest of Trump’s term, a move that could shape federal priorities and spending. Tech & Privacy: The Senate blocked extending the FISA Section 702 surveillance program, setting up a June 12 expiration that may affect how intelligence agencies operate. Transportation Costs: GasBuddy data shows Oregon fuel prices remain volatile, with multiple counties reporting the lowest regular, midgrade, and diesel prices for the week ending May 30. Business Safety & Hiring: Whitworth is launching a new nursing bachelor’s program starting fall 2027, as Northwest schools expand training to address ongoing nurse shortages. Oregon Spotlight: East Oregonian reporter Berit Thorson received major Oregon Department of Corrections volunteer awards for prison journalism work. Sports & Tourism: Clarion Summer Fest drew crowds downtown with vendor pop-ups, kids activities, and outdoor events.

Speed Enforcement: Sherwood’s Southwest Oregon Street added two speeding cameras May 25, and in under two weeks they flagged 1,045 drivers for going at least 11 mph over the limit, with residents saying speeding has been a long-running safety problem. Workforce & Education: Northwest nursing schools are leaning harder on simulation and virtual practice as the U.S. faces a growing nurse shortage; Whitworth announced a new bachelor’s program starting fall 2027. Health Care Markets: Cigna is exiting Florida’s Obamacare marketplace in 2027 after Aetna left at the end of 2025, raising fears of a “death spiral” as premiums rise and healthier enrollees opt out. Local Business Resilience: Lane County is urging businesses to prepare for above-normal wildfire danger, warning that operations can be disrupted even when fires are not nearby. Oregon Economy & Energy: Gas prices remain volatile, with Oregon’s average regular price reported at $5.21 for the week ending May 30, and national experts warning stabilization could take months. Tech & Industry: Intel’s Oregon operations offered rare access into how advanced chips are made, underscoring the push for more domestic semiconductor capacity. Politics: Former U.S. Sen. Bob Packwood, a longtime Oregon Republican whose career ended amid sexual misconduct allegations, died at 93.

Ballot Measure Fight: Oregon’s proposed initiative would criminalize hunting, fishing, trapping and conventional livestock farming, setting up a high-stakes clash between urban anti-hunting groups and rural hunters and anglers ahead of the November vote. Political Race Watch: Washington’s 4th Congressional District race is heating up as 11 candidates compete to replace Dan Newhouse, with GOP hopefuls including Jerrod Sessler and Amanda McKinney. Oregon Business & Policy: A new wave of state rules targeting “forever chemicals” (PFAS) is reshaping what products reach consumers, with Oregon among states moving toward disclosure and restrictions. Energy & Costs: Natural gas futures slid as output ticked up and LNG export maintenance lingered, while the Pacific Northwest saw very low next-day power prices. Local Economy Pulse: Gas prices in Oregon continue to vary by county, with GasBuddy reporting some of the lowest premium and diesel rates in select areas during the week ending May 30. Notable Oregon Loss: Former U.S. Sen. Bob Packwood, a longtime Oregon Republican, died at 93, closing a chapter marked by major scandal and political influence.

Public Finance: Springfield, Oregon approved a new 0.1% payroll tax on both employers and employees starting as early as January 2027 to close a projected budget gap, with an exemption for health insurance premiums. Tribal Development: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde began major construction at tumwata village, a mixed-use redevelopment at the former Blue Heron mill site at Willamette Falls, aiming to restore riverfront access and support future housing and commercial space. Energy & Climate: New reports say Northwest utilities are increasingly turning to gas—through new infrastructure and backup generators—to meet data-center demand, raising concerns about missing emissions targets. EV Charging: PGE expanded “Neighborhood” public EV chargers on Salem power poles, using QR-code access and retractable cables to serve drivers without home charging. Federal Funding: USDA opened a $60 million meat processing funding round that includes eligibility for tribes and small processors to expand domestic capacity. Local Governance: Waldport will hold a July 14 recall election for six councilors after signature verification, with the city facing an estimated $3,600–$5,000 cost. Business Expansion: The Oregon Clinic opened a new Beaverton specialty clinic pavilion focused on cardiology, advanced surgery orthopedics, surgical specialists, and pulmonary/critical care/sleep medicine.

Antitrust & Media: Oregon is among states preparing a lawsuit to block the $110B Paramount Skydance–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, with attorneys general drafting complaints and logistics for a filing as soon as this month. Local Economy & Affordability: In Eugene, Sen. Jeff Merkley heard from small businesses that higher food, fuel, and delivery costs plus shifting federal policies are squeezing margins and pushing customers to cut back. Transportation Finance: Oregon and Washington transportation officials say Interstate Bridge tolling can still hit the $1.5B revenue target despite an early traffic drop, with final toll rates likely set in late 2027. Public Safety & Health: Salem opened its first sobering center downtown, expanding detox and clinic access as the city seeks alternatives to jail and hospital stays. Workforce & Healthcare: The NLRB ordered Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center to bargain with more than 250 healthcare technicians who voted to join the Oregon Nurses Association. Business & Retail: Albertsons expanded its private-label wine lineup with new Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and other varietals priced $6–$18. Energy & Industry: Reports find Northwest utilities increasingly turning to gas to meet data-center demand, raising concerns about missing emissions targets. Education & Community: Portland named Lincoln High junior Anika Rigby as 2026 Rose Festival Queen.

Utility Rates & Data Centers: Portland General Electric filed to implement Oregon’s new Power Act rate class for large-load users, with data centers and crypto operators facing a 29% jump starting June 10, while residential rates fall 1.3% and other customer classes see smaller decreases. Local Business & Growth: Hillsboro is coordinating with In-N-Out on a traffic management plan for the chain’s planned opening, including rules on when staff will step in to manage long drive-thru lines. Oregon Economy & Workforce: A guest column argues Gov. Kotek’s “Prosperity Council” should prioritize investing in people—education, apprenticeships, and skills—over business subsidies or tax breaks. Ag & Trade: Oregon’s Celebrate Trade Gala highlighted hazelnuts, cherries, wine, potato snacks and manufacturing, with awards going to major Oregon ag and food brands. Ballot Fight in Oregon: Initiative Petition 28 to ban hunting and fishing is moving toward November, with opponents warning it would upend livestock and rural economies. Community & Health: A Silverton family’s Make-A-Wish trip helped a 9-year-old cancer survivor celebrate recovery, while Oregon’s Morrill Fire Relief Fund topped $143,500 for wildfire victims.

Portland Foie Gras Ban: Portland City Council passed a 7-5 ordinance banning the sale of force-fed foie gras, with restaurants getting six months to transition and fines up to $5,000 per violation. Data Center Power Costs: PGE filed for POWER Act rate changes that would raise large data center rates 29% while cutting residential rates 1.3% and small business rates 3.7%, aiming to shift infrastructure costs to growth drivers. Retail Theft Hits Small Biz: Astoria shop owners say shoplifting is driving major “shrinkage,” with offenders often not caught and losses adding up for small retailers. Healthcare Labor Win: Federal labor officials ordered Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center to recognize a union for healthcare tech workers and LPNs after alleged violations tied to the 2023 union vote. Higher Ed Budget Cuts: Lane Community College approved a budget cutting about $4.2 million, eliminating 20.5 positions and two degree programs, with concerns about reduced student support. Outdoor Access Fight: Oregonians are pushing back on new paddleboard and kayak permit requirements under HB 2982, arguing the rules are burdensome even as fees are aimed at invasive species prevention. Local Business Dispute Turns: LEGO reseller Bricks & Minifigs says it will shut its Salem store and part ways with franchise owners after viral “stolen” Star Wars set allegations, including a plan to resolve the dispute and drop related litigation. Public Safety Contract Debate: Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is warning Troutdale that dropping its contract could mean losing 24/7 patrol coverage and key detective roles. Energy/Weather Watch: NOAA issued a G-3 strong geomagnetic storm watch with aurora possible as far south as Oregon.

Semiconductor & Trade: Bangladesh’s Semiconductor Industry Association kicks off its multi-city “USA Roadshow 2026,” running June 5-13 and ending in Portland, aiming to connect Bangladeshi tech talent with U.S. chip and innovation hubs. Local Business & Growth: Nosler is moving operations from Bend to Redmond, building a new 75,000-square-foot headquarters expected to be ready next month and shifting manufacturing in July. Climate Policy & Housing Costs: Bend city council advanced a controversial fee on natural gas appliances in new construction, with opponents warning about grid capacity and builders’ added costs. Health & Community Services: Oregon Gov. Kotek and OHA finalized updated behavioral health agreements with all 36 counties, replacing a 30-year model with clearer expectations and accountability. Environment & Fisheries: A major levee breach reconnected the Siuslaw Estuary near Florence after 15 years, restoring habitat for salmon, lamprey and native plants. Energy & Industry: Oregon lawmakers urged DEQ to pause $3.2M in civil fines against Pacific Seafood while the company appeals. Workforce & Public Safety: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department opened public comment on updated Land and Water Conservation Fund grant rules, including a new biennial funding schedule.

Data Centers & Power Costs: Portland General Electric asked Oregon regulators for a 29% rate increase for large-load data center customers, while cutting rates slightly for everyone else, as the POWER Act shifts infrastructure costs to the biggest users. Regional Grid Growth: Avista also filed with the SEC about a “large load” customer seeking 125 MW starting in 2029 and up to 500 MW by 2032, with the utility saying any deal would make the customer pay for added power and transmission upgrades. Housing Finance: WHEDA announced $47.5 million in housing tax credits supporting 35 developments across 15 counties, targeting more than 2,100 affordable units. Energy & Environment: The U.S. is dismantling major Ocean Observatories Initiative sensor arrays, ending near-real-time deep-ocean monitoring off Alaska, Washington, Oregon and more. Local Business Real Estate: Datalogic put its entire 32-acre west Eugene campus up for sale as the barcode-scanner maker scales back its Oregon footprint. Workforce & Training: A Spokane veteran pump expert launched a consulting firm and is running industrial pump training seminars for maintenance and engineering teams across the Inland Northwest. Public Safety & Justice: Oregon prosecutors say illicit massage businesses are hard to shut down because cases can hinge on a high legal burden and storefronts can quickly relocate.

Court & Utilities: Oregon wildfire victims asked a judge to be removed from further PacifiCorp-related proceedings, arguing Court of Appeals Judge Anna Joyce’s prior work for the company creates an unfair conflict. Tax Policy: Oregonians won’t vote in November on whether to reinstate certain state tax breaks after a Republican-led signature drive missed the deadline. Federal Fiscal Fight: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dodged questions on Trump’s IRS settlement and “immunity” talks during Senate Finance testimony, while Sen. Ron Wyden was publicly pressed over his son’s past ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Public Health: Oregon expanded its tobacco rules to cover nicotine pouches and other nicotine products starting June 5, aiming to curb youth access. Elections & Ballot Access: Oregon’s Initiative Petition 28 to tighten animal-cruelty exemptions is nearing the ballot, while other states’ filings show how signature errors can derail campaigns. Energy & Environment: Coastal lawmakers urged Oregon regulators to pause Pacific Seafood penalties as the company appeals wastewater fines. Business & Growth: Oregon’s small-business community gets a boost with an upcoming Mt. Hood Community College entrepreneur fair featuring state incentive info. Tech & Defense: Overwatch Imaging says its AI sensor software is reducing workload for drone and Navy operators.

Higher Ed Budget Cuts: More universities are cutting jobs as state funding shortfalls, enrollment worries, and rising costs squeeze budgets, with some pointing to uncertainty around federal research funding and international student demand. Retirement Investment Fight: Oregon’s Dana Nessel joined a 24-state coalition challenging a Trump administration proposal that would steer more retirement money into riskier alternatives like crypto and private credit. Ocean Monitoring at Risk: Scientists warn that an ocean sensor network off the Oregon coast is being decommissioned under federal cuts, starting with a planned buoy retrieval on June 16. Workforce & Safety: Washington regulators opened a six-month workplace safety investigation into the Nippon Dynawave chemical tank implosion that killed 11 workers, as questions swirl over pay during shutdown. Construction Costs: Diesel prices in Oregon have surged, and contractors say the jump is forcing higher bids and threatening major roadwork budgets. State Transportation Leadership: Gov. Kotek tapped Chris Warner to temporarily lead ODOT as the agency faces long-term funding uncertainty after voters rejected gas tax hikes. Local Business Growth: Caring for Others, a Redmond-based in-home care provider, is expanding to new locations in Medford and Lincoln City. Portland Development: Portland State University selected Colas Development Group for exclusive talks on a $70M 150-room hotel and conference center near a future performing arts hub. Politics & Elections: Salem city officials declined to settle a challenge aimed at disqualifying City Council candidate Betsy Vega, with the race still extremely tight.

Portland Business & Legal: Holland & Knight elevated a real estate and business attorney to executive partner for its Portland office, signaling continued investment in the region’s dealmaking. Public Safety & Local Government: The Village of Oregon board accepted an Oregon Police Department staffing study, including moves to strengthen investigations, adjust school resource officer coverage, and assess adding a second SRO as enrollment grows. Environment & Health: A new study warns that plastic waste shipped overseas often ends up burned in lower- and middle-income countries, driving toxic air pollution tied to health harms. Oregon Agriculture & Transportation: A federal Hours-of-Service waiver lets fertilizer haulers in 34 states drive up to 16 hours in 24, aiming to ease supply squeezes during the May 26–Aug. 26 period. Energy & Consumer Costs: EVs are still cheaper to run but cost more to insure—about 42% higher than gas cars—though the gap narrows for newer models. Seed Industry Compliance: Oregon Seed Association’s Seed Labeling Database has expanded to cover all 50 states and multiple international markets, helping companies cut research time and reduce shipment holds. Regional Growth Planning: Sisters’ urban growth boundary expansion hearing was delayed to June 25 as planners review a heavy record and public comments. Oregon Business Travel: U.S. lawmakers announced nearly $14.5M for nine Oregon airports, including $137,000 for a new hangar at Prineville.

Oregon Economy: Oregon’s unemployment rate stayed flat at 5.2% through the first four months of 2026, with job growth “moving sideways” amid trade and other economic uncertainty. Workforce & Health Care: PacificSource is laying off 97 Oregon workers as it exits individual health insurance markets across states. State Policy: New Oregon laws take effect June 5, including minimum-wage protections for domestic and homecare workers and limits on state data sharing with data brokers tied to immigration enforcement. Environment & Enforcement: DEQ fined Albany’s Pacific Cast Technologies nearly $51,000 for hazardous waste violations, including unsafe storage and improper disposal practices. Public Safety & Local Government: Portland City Council adopted the “Right to Know Who’s Policing You” ordinance, requiring visible officer identification and limiting facial coverings outside undercover and safety exceptions. Business & Industry: Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson and Andrea Salinas introduced the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act to expand federal contracting incentives for mass timber and innovative wood projects. Community & Events: Eugene Beer Week returns with a 10-day lineup across Lane County starting May 29, featuring 26 breweries and taproom events.