Vision Payroll

Brad Avakian, Commissioner of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries announced recently that, effective January 1, 2009, the minimum wage for the state of Oregon will increase to $8.40 per hour. As a result of Measure 25, which passed in 2002, an adjustment to the minimum wage must be calculated no later than September 30 of each year. The adjustment is based on any increase in the US City Average Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for All Items (CPI). The 5.37% increase in the CPI will result in an increase of $0.45 for 2009. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions on the Oregon minimum wage increase or visit our Minimum Wage Chart.

Iowa Workforce Development, the state agency that oversees unemployment insurance announced unchanged rates for 2009. It will be the sixth consecutive year without an increase. Director Elisabeth Buck noted, “The State of Iowa has our commitment to carefully manage the trust fund in the coming year to continue this beneficial trend for Iowa businesses. Iowa has one of the lowest UI tax rates in the nation. Nearly half of our employers have a zero percent rate, and of the remaining employers, over 75% pay less than one percent.” Contact Vision Payroll with any questions on Iowa unemployment insurance rates.

The General Services Administration updated the maximum per diem rates for travel after September 30, 2008 and before October 1, 2009. For destinations or counties not specifically listed, the lodging per diem is $70 and the meals and incidental expenses per diem is $39. Certain destinations or counties are listed with higher per diem rates for part or all the fiscal year. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions on maximum per diem rates.

The wage base for New Jersey unemployment insurance, temporary disability insurance, and family leave insurance will increase from $27,700 to $28,900 for 2009. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any question on this increase.