This is a really fascinating video. Governor Kate Brown shows that real people have a need for increasing the minimum wage. She also shows how listening to the needs of various stakeholders gets things done. OregonLive:
The bill gives Oregon the highest statewide minimum wage rates in the nation, to $14.75 inside Portland's urban growth boundary, $13.50 in midsize counties and $12.50 in rural areas by 2022.
President Barack Obama lauded Brown, saying in a statement: "I commend the Oregon Legislature and Governor Kate Brown for taking action to raise their state's minimum wage...Congress needs to keep up with the rest of the country. They need to act, and finally give America a raise. And until they do, I'll continue to encourage states, cities, counties and companies to act on their own to support hardworking families."
Oregon raises the minimum wage based on the region in which workers live. Urban areas will increase higher and faster, and rural areas will still see pay raises, but more modest in keeping with the cost of living in these areas.
Unions and business owners alike were brought on board to support the measure. And it passed and was signed into law this week.
The solution was more complicated than an easy bumper sticker, but everyone being paid minimum wage in Oregon will get a raise in July. It's a very good day for Oregonians.
