Conference Will Look At Region’s Changing Economy
The Pacific Northwest’s top business and academic economists gather in Spokane this week to explore topics ranging from the government’s role in job creation to the economics of banning grass seed field burning.
The 31st annual Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Conference - titled “Regions in Transition” - opens at 10 a.m. Thursday, running through noon Saturday at the Red Lion City Center.
Conference host Washington State University has enlisted featured speakers such as Jerry Jordan, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; Robert Brinner, chief economist of DRI/McGraw-Hill; and Jack Ward Thomas, former U.S. Forest Service chief.
Speakers also will address property tax initiatives, mine siting decisions, labor market trends and the performance of Northwest equities.
Lunch and dinner sessions require advance registration. Call conference chairman Gary Smith at 509-335-2852.
In other events this week:
Today
Japan Week in Spokane.
U.S. Department of Treasury releases March budget statement.
Tuesday
International trade consultant Philip Jones speaks at 11:30 a.m. to the Second Annual International Leadership Luncheon at The Commons of Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute.
James May, executive vice president of government relations for the National Association of Broadcasters, delivers the second annual lecture in Media and the Law at noon at the Crescent Court Ballroom downtown.
Sterling Financial Corp. holds its annual shareholder meeting and releases first-quarter earnings.
Washington Water Power Co. releases first-quarter earnings.
Earth Day.
Wednesday
Public hearing scheduled on developer Dan Greer’s proposal to build 36 modestly priced homes near upscale Liberty Lake neighborhoods at 10:30 a.m. in the Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway.
House Committee on Agriculture reviews effects of Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed air quality standard of PM 2.5 on agriculture.
Thursday
Public hearings on Montrose Development, a 1,613-unit subdivision in Post Falls, scheduled to begin.
Inland Empire Rental Association and Accredited Residential Managers host seminar on rental housing issues at Templin’s Resort in Post Falls.
Friday
The next steps for Growth Management are discussed at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Issues & Answers” at 7:30 a.m. at 1020 W. Riverside. Cost: $2.
Spokane Ag Bureau meets at noon at the Stockyards Inn.
Sunday
Regular 105-day legislative session ends in Olympia.
President’s Summit on America’s Future opens in Philadelphia, through April 29.
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Money, May: Cover story explains how to earn $100,000 ($99,996.05 after cost of magazine) at home. Business Week, April 21: Cover story looks at how executive compensation packages reward many who don’t run the company.
Cheap executive officers Executives who gave shareholders the most for their pay, with total compensation from 1994-96 weighed against shareholder returns, according to Business Week: 1. Bill Gates, Microsoft. $1.4 million; 310 percent. 2. Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway. $904,000; 109 percent. 3. Thomas Golisano, Paychex. $1.5 million; 238 percent. 4. Michael Birck, Tellabs. $3.4 million; 537 percent. 5. Richard Ussery, Total Systems Service. $2.5 million; 315 percent.
Cheap executive officers Executives who gave shareholders the most for their pay, with total compensation from 1994-96 weighed against shareholder returns, according to Business Week: 1. Bill Gates, Microsoft. $1.4 million; 310 percent. 2. Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway. $904,000; 109 percent. 3. Thomas Golisano, Paychex. $1.5 million; 238 percent. 4. Michael Birck, Tellabs. $3.4 million; 537 percent. 5. Richard Ussery, Total Systems Service. $2.5 million; 315 percent.