The city council will vote on the measure Wednesday.
BY JACOB PALMER | OB DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
Portland is approaching a $15 an hour minimum wage rapidly as the city council is expecting to vote on the measure Wednesday.
The measure was a central part of Mayor Charlie Hales’ State of the City address at the City Club last month.
OregonLive.com’s Andrew Theen reports on the proposal:
If the city goes ahead, the decision would mark another victory for minimum-wage advocates, who spent the past year pushing local agencies to raise their wages. They’re part of a national push with high-profile successes in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
For Portland’s service contractors, the policy change amounts to a $2.70 an hour raise, according to city documents. The wages would go into effect in July. Multnomah County’s plan affects 151 employees, primarily in the library. Home Forward’s change affects 30 staffers.
Hales pledged to answer questions via a “Twitter town hall” event Wednesday. People were invited to ask the mayor questions using the #pay15 hashtag.
Some highlights from the forum that preceded the city council’s public hearing at 2 p.m.:
@anomalily That’s exactly why we’re doing this. We think a good economy opens the door to shared prosperity. #pay15
— Charlie Hales (@MayorPDX) February 18, 2015
@rarianrakista This only applies to city workers/contractors. We’re setting an example, not mandate. Hoping private biz will follow our lead
— Charlie Hales (@MayorPDX) February 18, 2015
@dbeffert It will be a very minor increase in city budget. May not be city budget, but workers not requiring food stamps saves $ too #pay15
— Charlie Hales (@MayorPDX) February 18, 2015
