A8 The BulleTin • Friday, January 22, 2021
Taxes
Continued from A7
“I’ve never heard from so
many of our members on a
single subject,” said Paloma
Sparks, vice president of gov-
ernment relations for Oregon
Business & Industry, the state’s
largest business organization.
“These layoffs were caused
by government action, not be-
cause businesses were making
decisions about market forces,”
Sparks said. “We would like the
state to step up and not put this
burden on businesses.”
Just 20% of Oregon employ-
ers, primarily those that cut
jobs during last year’s closures,
will have to cover nearly the
entire $183 million increase in
unemployment taxes this year.
And unless lawmakers act,
their costs will continue rising
through 2023 because the for-
mula allocates the tax burden
over a three-year period.
Just 20% of Oregon employers, primarily those that cut jobs
during last year’s closures, will have to cover nearly the
entire $183 million increase in unemployment taxes this
year. And unless lawmakers act, their costs will continue
rising through 2023 because the formula allocates the tax
burden over a three-year period.
Last fall, the employment
department repeatedly warned
against changes that could
reduce the trust fund. The
department noted that just
months into the pandemic,
many other states were already
borrowing from the federal
government to cover their
unemployment benefits —
money that must eventually be
paid back through higher busi-
ness taxes.
On Thursday, though, Ger-
stenfeld acknowledged that
Oregon’s trust fund has lots
of money and so the state can
consider temporary reductions
— and maybe even long-term
changes. He made three pro-
posals:
Spread out the burden of the
pending payroll tax increases
among all employers, rather
than just those that cut jobs in
2020. That would leave the un-
employment tax increases in
place but reduce the burden on
hardest-hit employers by shar-
ing the costs.
Roll back prospective pay-
roll tax increases in 2022, rec-
ognizing the trust fund has
enough money to remain sol-
vent without the added funds.
That sounds like a simple fix,
but it wouldn’t help everyone
— Gerstenfeld said federal law
requires that some employers
pay a top tax rate.
Oregon’s tax formula for
unemployment insurance is
established in state law, so any
changes require action by the
Legislature. And it doesn’t ap-
pear new legislation would af-
fect the tax increases that took
effect in 2021.
However, the employment
department says it will allow
businesses to defer a third of
this year’s payments until June
2022 without interest or pen-
alties.
At Thursday’s hearing,
committee Chairman Sen.
Chuck Riley, D-Hillsboro, said
COVID-19 has created an un-
usual situation for employers
that needs to be addressed.
“Businesses go out of busi-
nesses all the time,” Riley said,
“but this is an entirely different
animal.”
YOUR HOROSCOPE
By Madalyn Aslan
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
DYNAMIC | POSITIVE | AVERAGE | SO-SO | DIFFICULT
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR FRIDAY, JAN. 22, 2021: Charged,
expressive and exciting, you exude a magnetism that is hard to resist. Con-
trolling your impulsiveness allows you to finish a long-term project that is
extremely successful this year. If single, you experience strong feelings and
attractions. This year, you find your mate. If attached, you are transformed by
love. With patience and insight to match your depth of feeling, you can make
this last forever. CANCER sticks to you.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Bargains are found today. A friend’s assistance is a key factor in
generating a windfall. An exchange of ideas in a brainstorming session gen-
erates new perspectives. Your enthusiasm remains, bringing fun and excite-
ment. Tonight: The good times roll on.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Your energy and enthusiasm are at a peak. A creative project
captivates you. Your charisma level and charm rise throughout the day. Both
business and personal situations are promising. You will find much to feel
grateful for. Tonight: Feeling the gratitude.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
Today you will feel more introspective. Listen to the small, still voice
within you as you meditate by candlelight. A charm or picture featuring a
snowflake design reminds you to cherish your individuality. You will embrace
nonconformity. Tonight: A long, healing herbal soak.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
You will want to right wrongs and share knowledge. You inspire
Greenhouse
Continued from A7
“Somebody who is really
focused on growing could get
a lot of production out of this
greenhouse,” Moore said.
The greenhouse measures
30-by-80-feet and stands more
than 21 feet tall. GK Machine,
a manufacturer in nearby
Donald, made the frame. It is
covered with Adapt8’s Solexx
panels.
Solexx offers several advan-
tages, Moore said. First, the
material is dense and translu-
cent, helping to diffuse light
evenly around the entire space.
“What you don’t get are
zones inside the greenhouse,”
Moore said. “You can see,
there’s not a single shadow.”
That, in turn, allows light to
reach more of the plants’ sur-
face area, enabling 25% more
George Plaven/Capital Press
Adapt8’s test greenhouse measures 30 feet by 80 feet and stands more
than 21 feet tall. It is big enough to fit three semitrailers inside.
growth versus direct light from
traditional panels, Moore ex-
plained. The panels also pro-
vide insulation, boosting en-
ergy and water efficiency.
“(The greenhouse) will be
very efficient to run,” she said.
Along with the $50,000
grant, Adapt8 matched more
than $264,000 toward complet-
ing the project. Moore said she
would like to see 10% of what’s
grown inside the greenhouse
donated to area food banks.
Company employees estab-
lished a community supported
agriculture program last year,
donating 1,000 pounds of fresh
produce to the Marion Polk
Food Share, including radishes,
tomatoes, green onions, beets,
kale, garlic and potatoes.
Moore said the new test
greenhouse will offer more
space to turbocharge produc-
tion, while simultaneously al-
lowing Adapt8 to research new
products and invite the public
to learn about how their food
is grown.
Recently, Adapt8 used the
greenhouse to teach elemen-
tary school children about hy-
droponics, and held a clinic
demonstrating cutting prop-
agation with tomato plants.
Moore said outreach classes
will continue as COVID-19 re-
strictions allow.
“We want to bring our cus-
tomers in. We want to bring
the community in,” she said.
“We want to test new ways of
doing things in here.”
others. This favors any legal issues you have pending. It’s also supportive of
relationships. You will bask in the joyful accomplishments of someone who is
near and dear. Tonight: Exhausted, you sink into bed.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
The winter has a solemn quality. You feel dedicated to high profile
projects that are a challenge but also have the potential to bring great
rewards. Commit to yours and work on it today as you can. Tonight: Celebrat-
ing a job well done. Bravo.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Today accents your social circle and generates refreshing new goals.
Helpful, supportive people offer encouragement. Meetings are exceptionally
productive. Unexpected events are pending, perhaps an upcoming move or
job change. Tonight: Write down a list of your priorities and examine them.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Mysteries are resolved today. A lost item is found unexpectedly.
You’ll be attracted to faraway places. Overseas travel is especially appealing.
However, organization is essential in order to keep up with many projects
requiring your attention at work. Tonight: Relax.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
You will be able to extricate yourself from persons or situations
that have been draining your energy and resources. Focus on what you
would like to release. Reclaim your freedom in the peaceful darkness of win-
ter’s long night. Tonight: Feeling calm and at peace.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Today generates an abundance of nervous energy. Pace exercise
sessions today. Don’t overdo it with really strenuous activity all at once. A be-
loved animal companion facilitates improved health and emotional well-be-
ing. Tonight: You feel your well-being improving.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Today generates a very sociable mood. Others will be attracted to
you. Sincerity, a love of music and stability are qualities that you would seek
in a romantic partner. Today the celestial patterns favor love. Tonight: You
have the perfect backdrop for pursuing true love.
Leases
Continued from A7
The order also applies to
coal mining and blocks the ap-
proval of new mining plans.
Land sales or exchanges and
the hiring of senior-level staff
at the agency also were sus-
pended.
The order includes an ex-
ception that gives a small num-
ber of senior Interior officials
authority to approve actions
that are otherwise suspended.
Those officials include the
agency secretary, deputy secre-
tary, solicitor and several assis-
tant secretaries.
Biden’s move could be the
first step in an eventual goal to
ban all leases and permits to
drill on federal land. Mineral
leasing laws state that federal
lands are for many uses, includ-
ing extracting oil and gas, but
the Democrat could set out to
rewrite those laws, said Kevin
Book, managing director at
Clearview Energy Partners.
The administration’s an-
nouncement drew a quick
backlash from Republicans
and oil industry trade groups.
They said limiting access to
publicly owned energy re-
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: I’m responding
to the letter from “Open-and-
Shut Case in Virginia” (Oct.
20), who complained her son-
in-law was “disrespectful” be-
cause he didn’t close cupboard
doors, cereal boxes, etc. My
guess is that “Kirk” is display-
ing classic symptoms of Adult
Attention Deficit Disorder
(AADD). Multistep tasks may
be difficult for him to complete
because he is easily distracted.
My husband has this. (It was
not diagnosed until he was in
his 50s, and I had nearly torn
all my hair out.) He still occa-
sionally leaves cabinet doors
and drawers open. I tease him
that he can’t remember to walk
from one side of the room to
another if he forgets to take his
medication.
I strongly recommend that
Kirk be evaluated by a behav-
ioral psychologist for AADD.
Treatment may save the rela-
tionship between Kirk and his
in-laws.
— Wife of a Man with A.A.D.D.
Dear Wife: Thank you for
your letter. I received a deluge
of responses about the letter
from “Open-and-Shut Case in
Virginia,” and the vast majority
of the writers mentioned ADD,
ADHD and AADD. Many of
them recommended patience
on the part of the in-laws and
volunteered that Kirk may be
able to manage the disorder if
he is diagnosed.
Dear Abby: I am a 73-year-
old retired woman who still
maintains contact with a num-
ber of old and new friends for
movies, dinner, museum visits,
etc. Until the COVID virus, we
did things often. Now, not so
much.
Someone in this group told
me that on a couple of occa-
sions, a few of them were not
very nice when my name came
up. (“Why doesn’t she see her
grandkids more often?” “She
goes out more than most, yet
doesn’t want to eat in certain
restaurants.”) My husband and
I have a good marriage, but
many of these ladies are wid-
owed or divorced. How do you
handle backstabbing at this
age?
— Mystified in New York
Dear Mystified: Try not to
take it personally. Obviously,
these gossips have less to oc-
cupy their minds than one
sources would mean more for-
eign oil imports, lost jobs and
fewer tax revenues.
Republican Sen. John Bar-
rasso of Wyoming said the
administration was “off to a
divisive and disastrous start.”
He added that the government
is legally obliged to act on all
drilling permit applications it
receives and that “staff memos”
can’t override the law.
“Impeding American en-
ergy will only serve to hurt lo-
cal communities and hamper
America’s economic recovery,”
American Petroleum Institute
President Mike Sommers said
in a statement.
National Wildlife Feder-
ation Vice President Tracy
Stone-Manning welcomed the
move and said she expected
Biden to make good on his
campaign promise to end leas-
ing altogether, or at least im-
pose a long-term moratorium
on any new issuances.
“The Biden administration
has made a commitment to
driving down carbon emis-
sions. It makes sense starting
with the land that we all own,”
she said. “We have 24 million
acres already under lease. That
should get us through.”
would hope. You might also
consider seeing these particu-
lar individuals even less often
than you already do in the age
of COVID. If you do, it may
give them less ammunition
concerning what you do (or
don’t do) with your time.
Dear Abby: I began us-
ing a wheelchair two years
ago. Since then a dear friend
of roughly 30 years has be-
come fixated on my disability.
While we once shared a deep,
close “BFF” relationship, she
now speaks to me in baby talk
and only shows an interest in
my physical limitations. I feel
objectified, hurt and disap-
pointed.
I have mentioned to her
that I prefer to focus on other
things in life, and she responds
with platitudes like, “The
body is just a shell,” and “All
that matters is the heart,” but
her actions tell me otherwise.
I hate to end this friendship,
but I am at the end of my rope.
Any advice?
— Patronized in Arizona
Dear Patronized: If you ha-
ven’t done it already, tell this
person that you no longer wish
to discuss your disability and
you prefer she stop raising the
subject and treating you differ-
ently. Period. If she continues
to pursue the subject after that,
make your visits less frequent,
if they happen at all.
Do you want to learn
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• PNW Quarterly
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Travis Eugene Under-
wood of Redmond, OR
March 7, 1937 - Jan 17,
2021
Arrangements:
Baird Funeral Home of
Bend is honored to serve
the Underwood family.
Please visit our website
www.bairdfh.com to share
condolences and sign our
online guestbook.
541-382-0903
Contributions may be
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James M. Foster of
Bend, OR
Feb 2, 1934 - Jan 15, 2021
Arrangements:
Autumn Funerals, Bend
541-318-0842 www.au-
tumnfunerals.net
Services:
Family services will be held
at a later date
OBITUARY DEADLINE
Call to ask about our deadlines
541-385-5809
Monday - Friday, 10am - 3pm
No death notices or obituaries
are published Mondays.
Email:
obits@bendbulletin.com
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Consider redecorating or making household repairs. Place a bouquet
on a table to bless your residence. Include snowdrops and other tiny white
flowers, which represent hope. The needs of family members assume top
importance. Tonight: Early beddie-byes with a restful sleep.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Today generates solutions to complex situations. Helpful informa-
tion arrives. Examine past patterns. They reveal what to expect for the future.
Concentrate in order to follow through with projects and promises. Tonight:
You will be juggling a variety of activities.
June 1, 1937- January 4, 2021
Dwane Miller, sportsman, teacher, coach, and
beloved friend and family man passed away on
January 4, 2021 in Bend, Oregon. He was 83.
Dwane was born in Grants Pass, Oregon and
grew up in nearby Glendale. A proud Oregonian,
he found great joy in the outdoors and the
profound beauty of our state. As an avid bird
hunter, fl y fi sherman, skier, and golfer, he built
lifelong friendships and had many tales of
adventure he passed along to his children and
grandchildren - “Gramps” was always full of
wonderful stories.
At Glendale High School he was a four-sport
lett erman. His exploits on the baseball diamond
as a fi erce, hard-throwing pitcher earned him a
scholarship to Linfi eld College in McMinnville.
A natural leader who took immense pleasure
in the success of others, he gravitated toward
the teaching profession. He earned a Master’s
Degree, and went on to teach junior high, high
school, and community college students in
Eugene.
At Sheldon High School he combined teaching
with his love of competi ti ve sports to become
the head baseball coach and athleti c director-
later he became the head baseball coach at Lane
Community College.
Dwane was both creati ve and industrious. He
built his own fl y rods and ti ed fl ies, and built
a drift boat to fi sh the McKenzie, Rogue, and
Umpqua Rivers in. He was an accomplished
woodworker, restored a vintage Airstream trailer
and, with one of his sons, built a hot rod that
he drove unti l his fi nal days. As with everything
he did in life, he pursued his hobbies with vigor,
enthusiasm, and integrity.
Dwane is survived by his wife of 38 years, Susan
W. Miller, fi ve children, and four grandchildren.
He leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter,
of students, ballplayers, buddies, and family
who were enriched by his friendship and loving
care. He will be deeply missed.