NEWS

Bill to raise Oregon minimum wage has Democratic support

Anna Staver
Statesman Journal

A proposal to raise Oregon's minimum wage to $15 per hour picked up support this week from 10 Democratic lawmakers who signed on to sponsor the bill.

"I think a lot of people want to see the Legislature look at making sure the work that people do allows them to stay out of dependency on public support," Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, said. "That's the purpose of the minimum wage."

The bill, which is currently known as LC 1911, would raise the minimum wage for most workers starting in January 2016.

Businesses with less than 10 employees would be eligible for a two year phase-in process where the minimum wage would rise to $12.50 per hour in 2016 and to $15 per hour in 2017.

"The idea was that most businesses in Oregon have less than 10 employees but most workers work for larger businesses," said Jamie Partridge with 15 Now Portland.

His group has been working closely with the bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Chip Shields, D-Portland, to draft the legislation and find support in Salem.

"We approached him. He's been a staunch supporter of working people for years. He also happens to be my personal senator," Partridge said. "His office has been very helpful in advising us in how to go about getting other folks on board."

Cities in Washington and California have raised their minimum wages to $15 per hour, but a bill passed by the Oregon Legislature would be the first law enacted statewide.

Partridge is also lobbying for a companion bill that would repeal an Oregon law that prevents cities and counties from raising the minimum wage above the state set level.

"I think they are totally going in the wrong direction because this isn't sound economic policy," Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, said. "You're going to raise prices, and you're going to hurt the labor market."

Knopp would prefer to see the Legislature focus on programs that improve people's job skills and education.

"The minimum wage is really designed for entry level workers," Knopp said.

Democrats enjoy strong majorities in both chambers following November's election, which means they could pass both bills without a single Republican vote.

They certainly could," Knopp said. "I don't know that they will."

Dembrow said he thinks these bills represent the beginning of a conversation the legislature needs to have about the minimum wage and the social safety net.

"We are really in the early days of this," Dembrow said. "I think there is going to be a lot of time spent on this issue during the session."

If lawmakers don't pass a bill to raise the minimum wage in 2015, Partridge said he and the members of 15 Now Portland will refocus their efforts on a ballot measure for 2016.

Legislative sponsors of the draft bill to raise Oregon's minimum wage to $15 per hour:

1) Sen. Chip Shields, D-Portland

2) Sen. Diane Rosenbaum, D-Portland

3) Sen. Alan Bates, D-Medford

4) Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland

5) Rep. Phil Barnhart, D-Eugene

6) Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland

7) Rep. Lew Frederick, D-Portland

8) Rep. Mitch Greenlick, D-Portland

9) Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland

10) Rep. Barbara Smith Warner, D-Portland