YEAR IN REVIEW Together We Have Achieved Much During the Past 12 Months While Facing Historic Challenges
Fighting for Your Rights and Your Business • Represented the interests of our industry through service on the Governor’s Economic Advisory Council and associated subcommittees. • Filed suit in federal court against the State of Oregon for ongoing inequitable treatment of hospitality businesses. Although unsuccessful, we secured outdoor dining across Oregon in early December for restaurants during the effort. • Partnered with our national affiliates to secure two rounds of Payroll Protection Program dollars with round two including 3.5 times monthly payroll exclusively for hospitality businesses.
for employees to pick up shifts without sacrificing unemployment insurance benefits when working part-time. • Launched a campaign to support HB 3177 and help bring equity to the business sector during the state of emergency related to Covid-19. • Advocating for an extension of previously secured moratoriums for commercial rent and mortgages into 2021. • Led efforts to get Oregon’s Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) turned back on in the ‘extreme risk’ category. • Fighting for permanent repeal of Oregon’s flawed ‘scheduling law’ regulation.
• Secured statewide caps on third party delivery fees paid by restaurants at one of the lowest rates in the nation.
• Partnered with organizations in the beer industry to request tax relief for struggling craft brewers.
• Successfully advocated for changes to Oregon’s ‘extreme risk’ category to get indoor pools, hot tubs, and spas open.
• Successfully pushed curfew restrictions back from 10pm to 11pm or Midnight depending on risk category. Work continues to remove the arbitrary curfew regulation entirely.
• Launched a full-scale campaign with media resulting in scores of tv, print and radio interviews amplifying the stories of lodging establishments and restaurants. • Led the statewide effort to secure over $55 million in grants for small businesses with an emphasis on Oregon hospitality. • Secured a 2-week buffer for restaurants when opening back up indoor operations after adhering to restrictions in the ‘extreme risk’ category.
• Eliminated the possibility of penalties for underestimated payments or for not making quarterly payments for the Corporate Activities Tax. • Negotiated with Oregon Tourism Information for deferred payment plans for highway signage. • Campaigned to protect the 70/30 split for local lodging tax spending.
change in the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) so restaurants can now receive up to $19,000 per eligible employee in ERTC across 2020 and 2021. • Partnered with the National Restaurant Association to help pass the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a $28.6 billion relief fund part of Biden’s American Rescue Plan that will provide grants across the country to restaurants. • Partnered with the National Restaurant Association in successfully pursuing a change in the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) so restaurants can now receive up to $19,000 per eligible employee in ERTC across 2020 and 2021. Calling Out Inequitable Treatment of Your Small Business • Successfully removed requirements to have restaurant operators track the movements of their customers. • Coordinated partnerships between lodging operators and local governments to prevent any efforts to commandeer private property for public health emergency shelter needs. • Promoted the importance of increased flexibility for tents and canopies to make outdoor seating capacity for restaurants more practical. • Challenging arbitrary guidelines based on total people indoors without consideration given to square footage available for dining and event space.
• Partnered with OLCC to create flexible license payment plans, flexible outdoor alcohol service areas, and secure support for To-Go Cocktails.
• Partnered with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to help establish the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF) to provide grants to more than 43,000 restaurant workers.
Launching More Group Deals to Help Protect Your Limited Margins • Announced historic 21% discount on SAIF workers comp premiums for the ORLA Group – the best deal in the entire state for restaurants and hotels.
• Supported and testified in favor of SB 1701, which passed, allowing flexibility
• Partnered with the National Restaurant Association in successfully pursuing a
• Keeping music licensing headaches at bay with multiyear discounts from 10-20%.
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Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association | SPRING 2021
