State lawmakers and business leaders have argued high taxes and stringent regulations are hurting Oregon businesses. In 2025, not long after a CNBC report ranked Oregon near the bottom of states to do business, Gov. Tina Kotek announced a plan to change that.

Among other goals, it aims to sharpen the state’s competitive edge through changes to permitting and taxation, partnerships with the private sector and incentives to invest in Oregon.

Angela Wilhelms is the president and CEO of Oregon Business and Industry, the state’s largest business advocacy organization. She joins us to discuss why businesses are leaving Oregon and whether the state can improve its business climate to keep them.

We also talk with OPB business reporter Kyra Buckley about Kotek’s roadmap and the challenges currently facing Oregon’s business community.

“Think Out Loud®” broadcasts live at noon every day and rebroadcasts at 8 p.m.

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/21/oregon-business-reputation-kotek/