ORLA Outcomes

During the past year, our world has been turned upside down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospitality industry has experienced some of the toughest challenges they have ever had to face as business owners. Our hope is that Oregon’s hospitality industry knows ORLA has been fighting hard on their behalf and continues to work alongside the industry to achieve results that help businesses move forward in the year ahead. Be sure to subscribe to the CEO Blog for the latest updates on ORLA activity.

Below are just some of the outcomes achieved to date. For a complete list of ORLA accomplishments this past year, visit the Year in Review page.

FINDING FINANCIAL RELIEF: Protecting Our Businesses and Employees

Supported and testified in favor of a bill, which overwhelmingly passed, allowing for extra flexibility for employees to pick up shifts without having to sacrifice unemployment insurance benefits when working part-time (SB 1701)
Saved Oregon businesses including restaurants and lodging establishments from additional tax burden by fighting a disconnect from the federal CARES Act
Helped secure $10 million of $40 million from the state for small business grants for owners who didn’t get federal help.
Partnered with OLCC to relax enforcement by suspending Liquor Liability Insurance coverage and deferring license fees.
Advocated successfully for commercial rent relief and flexibility for commercial mortgage backed securities resulting in a 90-day moratorium on commercial evictions with the Governor's Executive Order 20-13.
Requested immediate relief from penalties associated with Oregon’s statewide scheduling law. Employers now simply need to show a good faith effort in communicating with employees the scheduling challenges as soon as possible.
Eliminated the possibility of penalties for underestimated payments or for not making a quarterly payments for the Corporate Activity Tax.
Partnered with organizations in the beer industry to request tax relief for struggling craft brewers.
Negotiated with Oregon Tourism Information for deferred payment plans for highway signage so you can keep as much cash on hand as possible.

REOPENING BUSINESSES SAFELY: Mitigating Phase Restrictions
PHASE ONE

Removed requirements to have operators track the movements of their customers.
Eliminated capacity limitations for dining rooms based on a percentage of total occupancy.
Coordinated partnerships between lodging operations and local governments to prevent any efforts to commandeer private property for public health emergency shelter needs.
Promoted the importance of increased flexibility for outdoor seating capacity available to restaurants.

PHASE TWO

Included partitions/barriers as an alternative to 6 feet of distancing between associated parties of 10 or less.
Moved curfew from 10pm to 12am; work continues on this issue to remove the curfew entirely.
Acknowledged the importance of travel and permitting travel in general while adhering to physical distancing requirements.
Opened up resort and lodging amenities such as pools, spas, and sports courts that adhere to physical distancing requirements.
Included plexiglass/barriers for bar and counter seating as an alternative to 6 feet of distance, regardless of how the bar is positioned in the establishment.

STRENGTHENING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES: Protecting Hospitality Businesses

Stopped unnecessary local overreach into lodging practices like extended cleaning holds with no basis in current CDC or state recommendations in cities like Lincoln City, Newport, and Yachats.
Persuaded Josephine County to rethink their position on pursuing a local transient lodging tax.

ALIGNING COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRY: Cornerstones of Our Communities

Expanded the purpose of the Oregon Hospitality Foundation enabling them to provide hospitality relief funds to operators who are feeding frontline workers and those with food insecurity. Funding has provided for 11,500 meals to date.
Aggregated information and intelligence to help you navigate our new reality with comprehensive resources online at OregonRLA.org.
Represented the interests of our industry through service on the Governor’s Economic Advisory Council and associated subcommittees.
Hosted over 20 virtual town halls across the state to share the latest industry intelligence with industry members and answer your questions.
Created Oregon2Go.com to amplify takeout and delivery options from foodservice operations across the state to our consumers.
Launched our ORLA Commitment to Safety Checklists and collateral for restaurant and lodging operators to show their commitment to ‘best in class’ operational standards for both customers and employees.

We know this is a long-term fight that will need long-term solutions. We hope you consider adding your voice to our efforts. Visit OregonRLA.org/hospitalityaction to learn more about how to get involved.