When President Obama slips into and out of Portland next week, he has his eyes on campaign cash, of course.  He will rub elbows for up to $33,000 each.  Then he will pivot to Nike, where he will talk up ‘free’ trade legislation that, if past claims versus performance are any indication, will benefit foreign countries and U.S. companies, and not U.S. workers.  The trade agreement is opposed by lawmakers on the far left and the far right, and supported by the middle ground establishment of both major parties.

The Oregon House has voted to ‘ban the box’.  The bill would prohibit employers from asking applicants if they have a criminal record (the check box on some applications).  Employers could ask about a criminal record at an interview, but could not even consider it if there is no job interview.  The bill’s sponsor says government must tell businesses whom to hire because repeat criminals have a hard time finding work once they get out of prison.  Opponents say that’s nuts, and if the bill becomes law, it will just lead to numerous lawsuits by criminals who get turned down for any jobs.

A new state report says Oregon employers have 20 percent more jobs open now than last year at this time, and they are paying nine percent more if they find qualified workers.  The average hourly wage for the vacant jobs is $17.50.   That’s up, too, from last year.  Low paying jobs of $15.00 an hour or less make up just a third of open jobs.  The employment survey said employers are now more interested in experience than a degree.