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New economy creates demand for new strategies
Dear Mr. Berko: If you knew when the economy would turn around, which one stock would you recommend for a conservative growth-and-income portfolio? And would you please explain, once again, […]
FairPoint won鈥檛 make shareholders say, 鈥榊ahoo!鈥�
Dear Mr. Berko: My broker tells me that FairPoint, which trades at 60 cents a share, pays a $1.03 dividend (according to Yahoo Finance), which would give investors a return […]
Hope springs eternal for prevailing employers
As an incentive to encourage attorneys to represent employees/plaintiffs, Oregon鈥檚 statutes generally require the court to award a prevailing plaintiff/ employee reasonable attorney fees incurred in prosecuting claims against employers. […]
Beach dispute heads for highest court
May a court effect a 鈥渢aking鈥� of private property without just compensation? The United States Supreme Court will consider this question in its next term, beginning in October. The case […]
Increasing deficit will have dramatic impact
Dear Mr. Berko: Two economists with whom my wife and I enjoy a social relationship believe we will have trillion-dollar deficits annually for at least a decade. These fellows believe […]
Federal contracting can be complicated
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known as the stimulus bill, provided $787 billion for job creation, largely in the construction industry. If you or your company […]
Focus on dividends when planning for retirement
Dear Mr. Berko: I have a self-directed 401(k). In mid-2007 it was worth $400,000 and I was hoping that if the market could average its historical 9.6-percent return, it would […]
Estate tax law: New legislation may cure confusion
In the area of estate tax law, the only thing that is certain right now is that things are going to change. The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, […]
Construction contractors, heal thyselves
A new multifamily project was constructed and within three years there was so much rot that the structure needed significant repairs. Another project had no problems, but the water-resistant barrier […]
Try one of 12 ways to pay for kids鈥� higher education
Dear Mr. Berko: I鈥檓 52, and I have had a good job with the same company since 1987. My wife has a part-time job while the children are in school. […]
Loft鈥檚 definition is lost in the movement
A while back, I got a solicitation from a local real estate agent whose client was ostensibly in the market for a 鈥渓oft.鈥� The agent described her buyer鈥檚 ideal loft, […]
Father-in-law鈥檚 investment advice isn鈥檛 helping
Dear Mr. Berko: My father-in-law has been a dentist for 33 years, and in October 2007 he recommended that I buy 300 shares of Patterson Dental Supply at $38. I […]
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
