From the Desk of Jason Brandt, ORLA President & CEO

The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) is your statewide partner tasked with important work to advocate on your behalf. We continue to stay focused on our mission of improving, protecting, and promoting our state’s hospitality industry. Recently, ORLA shared the latest updates on some of the notable outcomes during this past year as outlined below. While we are confident our members recognize the importance of being an active member of their statewide association, our hope is that more industry members see the value in joining their peers and assisting the association in achieving greater outcomes in the years ahead. 

Recently, ORLA has:

• Successfully passed House Bill 3389 in the 2021 Oregon Legislature which resulted in 19,000 employers receiving Oregon Employment Department relief checks totaling $43.3 million. The legislation was historic and has also resulted in 125,000 employers across Oregon realizing a decrease in their tax rate for 2022. Unemployment insurance tax experience ratings will stay the same through 2024 thanks to the legislation. Overall, House Bill 3389 is expected to save Oregon employers $2.2 billion in unemployment insurance taxes through 2029.
• Entered a new partnership with Adesso Capital to assist restaurant and lodging members in processing their amended quarterly payroll tax forms to maximize federal employee retention tax credit money. Adesso can walk you through the entire process with a free consultation, so you know how much money you’re entitled to. It is very common to receive more than $100,000 back in tax credits as a hospitality operator disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. If you haven’t filed, you can get started at: www.adessocapital.com/partner/orla.
• Submitted over 10 public records requests of local government jurisdictions who collect a local lodging tax from our industry. It’s important that we stand together in making sure industry tax dollars are being spent in accordance with state law and that our dollars are maximizing opportunities to assist restaurant and lodging establishments with their ongoing recovery through strong tourism promotion campaigns.
• Launched a new workforce data tool to run customized reports for ORLA members at the city, county, and state levels by industry job type to keep up with ongoing changes in market rate compensation. These customized reports are included in your membership and are extraordinarily helpful in times like these.

If you're not already a member, please consider joining ORLA today. This organization exists for you and more than ever we need to stand together to protect the industry and the crucial contributions it makes to local economies around the State of Oregon. | Jason Brandt, President & CEO

Today SAIF announced ORLA/SAIF partners are receiving $299,813 in dividends from SAIF for their 2019 policy period. These dividends are being paid to members this week. While dividends cannot be guaranteed and are declared at the discretion by SAIF’s Board of Directors, this clearly represents another advantage of being part of the ORLA/SAIF program. 

“Our partnership with SAIF Corporation over the past 3 years is assisting the hospitality industry in our continual pursuit of top tier safety for hard working employees across this state,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO of ORLA. “Being a part of the ORLA/SAIF group is a no brainer when you add the potential for dividend payments each policy year to the group discount operators receive when they qualify for the program. We look forward to the ongoing partnership with SAIF Corporation as industry operators work to save every penny they can.”

ORLA’s endorsed service partnership with SAIF gives eligible ORLA members a workers’ compensation group discount that is validated by NCCI and approved by DCBS. As the restaurant and lodging industries face some of the most difficult workplace safety challenges, this partnership aims to reduce worker injuries and improve member’s safety programs. 

During the pandemic, SAIF has remained open for business, serving Oregon's employers and workers. This has included taking steps to help injured workers who faced challenges accessing care and working to reduce the financial burden on businesses.  

Ask your agent for an ORLA Group quote or contact SAIF directly at 888.598.5880.

About SAIF
SAIF is Oregon's not-for-profit workers' compensation insurance company. For more than 100 years, we've been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com.

ORLA is hosting another series of virtual town halls and all hospitality industry members and partners are invited to participate. 
 
The purpose of these virtual meetings is to provide a summary of the latest industry intelligence from the Governor’s Office, as well as from state and local leaders as we continue operations during Phase 2. We will review Public Health Guidelines, best practices, ORLA resources, and engage local operators about what strategies have been working since reopening.
 
We want to continue to keep businesses connected and feeling supported as we move through these challenging times. If you are interested in an overview of the latest Government Affairs updates and participating in a discussion about industry resources and guidance, this virtual meeting is for you.

To RSVP or if you have any questions, please contact your Membership Representative below and include any questions or comments you would like considered as part of our conversations.

Upcoming Virtual Town Hall Meetings:

Thursday, July 16 - 9:30-10:30 am
Polk, Marion, Benton, Linn Counties
RSVP to Greg Staneruck​

Monday, July 20 - 10:00-11:00 am
Washington / Columbia / Yamhill Counties
RSVP to Greg Staneruck​

Tuesday, July 21 - 3:00-4:00 pm
Coos, Curry, Douglas, Deschutes, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lane Counties
RSVP to Terry Hopkins

Wednesday, July 29 - 2:00-3:00 pm
Clatsop, Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties
RSVP to Greg Staneruck