Post by Logan on Feb 5, 2016 20:10:26 GMT -6
SALEM — Abruptly changing course on the legislative session's signature issue, Senate Democrats put forth a minimum wage plan Thursday that offers smaller raises to rural Oregonians while edging rates in Portland closer to $15.
The shift took the Capitol by surprise and added heat to a day that began with Republicans forcing their colleagues to read bills aloud before a series of floor votes and ended with an emotional hearing on a contentious gun-control measure.
Early Thursday, Sen. Michael Dembrow unveiled a plan for a $12.50 wage floor in so-called "frontier" counties while bumping wages to $14.75 in the Portland area. A third, middle tier that includes Eugene and Bend would get $13.75.
The Senate's unexpected proposal frustrated union leaders and threatened to derail a deal between Gov. Kate Brown and business leaders reached just last week. Brown's plan calls for two minimum wages by 2022: $14.50 in the Portland area and $13.25 everywhere else.
Read more: www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/02/post_177.html
The shift took the Capitol by surprise and added heat to a day that began with Republicans forcing their colleagues to read bills aloud before a series of floor votes and ended with an emotional hearing on a contentious gun-control measure.
Early Thursday, Sen. Michael Dembrow unveiled a plan for a $12.50 wage floor in so-called "frontier" counties while bumping wages to $14.75 in the Portland area. A third, middle tier that includes Eugene and Bend would get $13.75.
The Senate's unexpected proposal frustrated union leaders and threatened to derail a deal between Gov. Kate Brown and business leaders reached just last week. Brown's plan calls for two minimum wages by 2022: $14.50 in the Portland area and $13.25 everywhere else.
Read more: www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/02/post_177.html