For the latest in tech, plug into Tech Talk. We deliver industry highlights straight to your inbox, so you never feel out of the loop. From the Senate vs. FCC showdown to how Seattle’s new head tax could decimate its economy, this is what’s happening for May.
Senators Slam FCC for Identity Fraud and Throw Net Neutrality a Lifeline
The FCC has been having a rough month. Back in April, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s pick for broadband advisor Elizabeth Ann Pierce was accused of spearheading a $250 million fraud operation.
Then more recently, senators including Oregon’s own Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania charged the FCC with identity fraud after discovering that their identities had been used without their consent to file comments to the FCC.
Identity theft, however, isn’t the only point of contention between senators and the FCC. Last week, the Senate passed a measure to repeal the FCC’s recently adopted net neutrality rules.
Though the measure is unlikely to go anywhere, unless President Donald Trump decides to back it—these developments are still a hopeful sign that net neutrality, which is now scheduled to end on June 11th, isn’t going without a fight.
CrowdStreet Lands Spot on Oregon’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
Shoutout to our client CrowdStreet for landing a spot on the Portland Business Journal’s Fastest-Growing Private 100 Companies! This list celebrates the robust growth and development of the most promising businesses in the state.
CrowdStreet currently has 41 employees but is projected to experience immense growth over the next year and beyond. The PBJ’s list is currently unranked, but the big reveal will happen at their award ceremony next Thursday, June 7th.
Amazon Teeters on Pulling out of Seattle for New Head Tax
Seattle’s new “head tax” could lead to way bigger problems than homelessness—the issue this tax was designed to alleviate.
With this legislation in place, every business with a revenue of at least $20 million will have to pay approximately $275 a year for each of its full-time workers. This move is bound to increase unemployment rates, as companies grow weary of the increasing costs of employment and consider relocating their offices.
Zillow, Alaska Airlines, Expedia are some of the many companies looking to leave Seattle as a result of the tax. Amazon was especially incensed by the city’s “hostile approach and rhetoric toward larger businesses, which forces [them] to question [their] growth here.”
Though Amazon has resumed construction for its new office in Seattle after a brief halt, the tax has certainly put a strain on Seattle’s relationship with its biggest employer. After all, the company employs over 10% of the city’s workforce.
No doubt, Seattle has good intentions with the head tax, but the city council needs to decide whether these efforts are worth decimating their economy.
Oregon Technology Awards Recap
We want to thank everyone who joined us at the Oregon Technology Awards hosted by the Technology Association of Oregon. Our team had a blast celebrating the best of what the Silicon Forest has to offer with you all!
Shout out to Cloudability for winning the Rising Star of the Year Award, PDX Women in Tech for the People’s Choice Award and Treehouse for the Most Disruptive Award!
We also want to congratulate Jayden Johnston (featured far right) from Treehouse for winning our t-shirt contest. Thanks for spreading the word to #BecomeAnICON!
