The minimum wage rises again in Oregon today, July 1. The hourly wage went from $12.50 to $13.25 within the Portland Metro urban growth boundary; from $11.25 to $12 in Northwest Oregon and Deschutes, Josephine, Jackson, Hood River and Wasco counties; and from $11 to $11.50 in rural Eastern and Southwest Oregon counties. The increase is the latest under a 2016 union-backed law under which the minimum wage will reach $14.75, 13.50, and $12.50 in July 2022; after that, the wage will rise annually based on inflation. Approximately 146,303 workers are impacted.
Meanwhile in Washington, a 2016 ballot initiative has also been raising the minimum wage. Since Jan. 1 it’s been $13.50 an hour statewide, and as high as $16.39 in Seattle.
Congress hasn’t passed a federal minimum wage increase since 2007, and the federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009. That’s the longest minimum wage freeze since the minimum wage law first took effect in 1938. Twenty-nine states have passed higher minimum wages than the federal one, but the federal minimum is in effect in 21 other states, including Idaho.
Why is it so different over Oregon. We in the rural area deserve to a decent wage. We drive farther to get work and we have expenses that Portland has. So why can’t we get a decent wage? This proves the Greater Oregon needs to go through. We are tired of Oregon treating us as though we don’t belong.