Governor Kate Brown Announces Plan for Statewide Minimum Wage Increase

[L. Coyote]

Source: NEWS RELEASE January 14, 2016

(Salem, OR) — Governor Brown today announced her plan to increase the minimum wage statewide. The proposal was developed after conversations with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. Their input was essential to finding Oregon's path forward to a higher minimum wage. The plan will be brought for debate during the 2016 legislative session next month.

"The costs of essentials such as food, child care, and rent are rising so fast that wages can't keep up,” said Governor Brown. “Many Oregonians working full-time can't make ends meet, and that's not right."

Recognizing that Oregon businesses need certainty and time to plan, the proposal calls for a two-tiered minimum wage that increases gradually over the next six years, starting in 2017. The plan establishes a higher minimum wage in the Portland metropolitan area, where the economy is growing faster and has traditionally been stronger, than in the rest of the state.

Outside of the Portland Urban Growth Boundary, the wage will be raised to $10.25 in 2017 and increase to $13.50 by 2022. Within Portland’s Urban Growth Boundary, the wage will be set at 15 percent above the statewide minimum wage, increasing to $15.52 by 2022.

After 2022, the minimum wage will return to the current rate of increase, in conjunction with the Consumer Price Index.

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Read more: http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=41b11f32beefba0380ee8ecb5&id=192a11db1e&e=74475a0ab9

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[center]www.governor.oregon.gov

Let's make this meme viral!

[Human101948]

1. By 2022, that $15 per hour will be worth the same as $7.25 today...

What a freaking joke!

[L. Coyote]

2. The State of Oregon has a higher minimum wage than the nation, for a long time already.

We pioneered raising the minimum wage by initiative petition and other states followed quickly. When the first petition didn't make the ballot the legislature gave us the highest in the nation. Successful ballot measures have raised it twice already. We have a cost of living increase provision in the law now too.

So, with that background, you might want to edit your insult to our great Democratic governor because what she is proposing is to amend existing law so everyone gets bumps in existing high minimum wage.

[jeff47]

3. You think inflation is going to run at 13% over the next 6 years?

Um.....no.

[pnwmom]

4. You're saying that in 6 years costs will double? Which crystal ball

did you use for that prediction?

[Human101948]

6. I can look backward and see what's happened...

While I may employ hyperbole, the fact is that it would take a lot to make up for the screwing of workers that has taken place over the last 30 years. I want it to happen faster for those who work in those minimum wage jobs that keep the economy going.

[passiveporcupine]

7. Current min wage in Oregon is $9.45

Much better than fed wage. But I agree, it probably should have been bumping up faster to keep up with the cost of living increases, and at least they are working on it now. I do wish it would kick in a little faster. I think right now that $10 is too low even in small rural town like where I live. Should be $12 at least, and big urban areas like Portland should already be $15.

I'm just glad I live in a progressive state...not down south somewhere. Not some right to work for peanuts state. Ugh!

[Human101948]

8. Yes you could be much worse off, with your head in Mississippi...

shuffling through the parking lot of an invisible 7-11...

[LynneSin]

5. First Minnesota and now Oregon - these states look like total wins these days

Compared to states like Oklahoma and Kansas where governors want to make sure everyone who isn't the 1% suffers.