Oregon Legislator Proposes $13 Minimum Wage

It's creeping south, but a little less than the Washington state plans passed in Seattle.

Oregon State House Speaker Tina Kotek proposed a bill Monday that would not only raise the minimum wage from $9.25 to $13, but would allow cities the option to make it even higher if they wanted.

While supporters claim higher living costs justify the idea, opponents say it will only kill jobs and stop businesses, especially smaller ones, from hiring new workers.  They point to examples in Seattle and San Francisco where a significant ripple effect is being seen.

The bill, if it passes, would raise the wage to $11 January 1st 2016, then $1 dollar per year each year until it reaches $13.   Supporters of an even higher $15 wage say they have enough signatures to put such a measure on the November ballot.