Minimum wage, maximum mess in Oregon
Jun 18, 2016 13:39:20 #
When Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a minimum wage bill into law in March, it was the highest statewide wage floor in the U.S. It was also the most convoluted, setting three different wages and raise schedules depending on the area's population.
Wages will rise to $12.50 in rural Oregon, $13.50 in mid-size regions and $14.75 in greater Portland, all by the year 2022.
But before the ink was even dry, Democrats, who control the state House, Senate and governor's office, announced they wanted to change the bill that was rammed through in a five-week legislative session despite fierce Republican opposition.
"They just wanted to pass something," said economist Eric Fruits, a Portland Republican. "They were really worried about the 15 Now people sending something to the b****t, and I think they got so snakebit they would have passed anything that was called a minimum wage increase."
Labor unions, spearheaded by the S.E.I.U., had been collecting signatures for a $15 statewide wage initiative and hoping to build on recent victories in several cities.
But Oregon Democrats acted before state economists even had a chance to weigh in. Last week, state analysts concluded in a prepared forecast the high wage will "result in approximately 40,000 fewer jobs in 2025 than would have been the case absent the legislation."
Orchard owner John Zielinski said his family business will take a big hit.
"When those pears and apples are sold on the market, they're not going to give us any more money because we're from Oregon and have a higher pay rate," said Zielinski of E.Z. Orchards.
Rural counties threatened to file a lawsuit against the state, calling the minimum wage a maximum mess and an unfunded mandate. Oregon's constitution allows local governments to opt out of state programs that raise costs significantly and are not funded by the legislature.
Hearing the outcry, Democratic leaders quickly admitted they may have messed up. They promised a fix-it bill next year allowing for a lower training wages for young workers and some new hires.
But not everyone in the party or the public is onboard with the proposed changes. Low wage worker activists and some Democrats fear a loophole that will be abused.
"I think having a sub-minimum wage, while it might sound good, could end up hurting the very people we're trying to help," said Democratic state Senator Diane Rosenbaum.
Republican leaders support the fixes, including a possible exemption for some Eastern Oregon farmers who, if nothing changes, will have to pay $5 more per hour for labor than their competitors across the state line in Idaho.
Dan Springer joined Fox News Channel (FNC) in August 2001 as a Seattle-based correspondent
Wages will rise to $12.50 in rural Oregon, $13.50 in mid-size regions and $14.75 in greater Portland, all by the year 2022.
But before the ink was even dry, Democrats, who control the state House, Senate and governor's office, announced they wanted to change the bill that was rammed through in a five-week legislative session despite fierce Republican opposition.
"They just wanted to pass something," said economist Eric Fruits, a Portland Republican. "They were really worried about the 15 Now people sending something to the b****t, and I think they got so snakebit they would have passed anything that was called a minimum wage increase."
Labor unions, spearheaded by the S.E.I.U., had been collecting signatures for a $15 statewide wage initiative and hoping to build on recent victories in several cities.
But Oregon Democrats acted before state economists even had a chance to weigh in. Last week, state analysts concluded in a prepared forecast the high wage will "result in approximately 40,000 fewer jobs in 2025 than would have been the case absent the legislation."
Orchard owner John Zielinski said his family business will take a big hit.
"When those pears and apples are sold on the market, they're not going to give us any more money because we're from Oregon and have a higher pay rate," said Zielinski of E.Z. Orchards.
Rural counties threatened to file a lawsuit against the state, calling the minimum wage a maximum mess and an unfunded mandate. Oregon's constitution allows local governments to opt out of state programs that raise costs significantly and are not funded by the legislature.
Hearing the outcry, Democratic leaders quickly admitted they may have messed up. They promised a fix-it bill next year allowing for a lower training wages for young workers and some new hires.
But not everyone in the party or the public is onboard with the proposed changes. Low wage worker activists and some Democrats fear a loophole that will be abused.
"I think having a sub-minimum wage, while it might sound good, could end up hurting the very people we're trying to help," said Democratic state Senator Diane Rosenbaum.
Republican leaders support the fixes, including a possible exemption for some Eastern Oregon farmers who, if nothing changes, will have to pay $5 more per hour for labor than their competitors across the state line in Idaho.
Dan Springer joined Fox News Channel (FNC) in August 2001 as a Seattle-based correspondent
Jun 18, 2016 13:55:44 #
bmac32 wrote:
When Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a minimum w... (show quote)
Oregon deserves wh**ever it gets. It's their baby.
Jun 18, 2016 13:57:22 #
The morons can't run there own lives but think they can run everyone elses Who is Dumber them or you for letting them get away with it. Never mind I already know the answer!!!!!!
Jun 18, 2016 14:07:51 #
bmac32 wrote:
When Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a minimum w... (show quote)
Ahhhhhh what the hell drop the GD min wage to $2.10 an hour or just eliminate it. None of these GD people need to make a decent wage. Just let the corporate elite set wage and price control s**t they will see to it these people can eat. After all the Republican agenda is screw these people pay them $2.10 and eliminate food stamps eliminate healthcare Fu$k let these people die. Then eliminate a******ns after all it's more fun to watch these people die slowly. You GD people sit here dictate a GD Fox News BS what the hell is wrong with you. Then we can jump on that GD South Carolina eliminating Child labor laws and shove 12 year old kids out in your GD corn field and work these kids 12 hours a day for $2.00 an hour.
Then create more wealthy tax breaks and then we blame them GD democrats for income in e******y. (This kind of garbage makes me sick but it's people who actually believe this garbage that's even worse.
We became a greatest nation in the world because we have regulation on these corporate elite that dumped garbage in our lakes and streams we have laws as to how the food we eat is kept safe, we have regulation so when we get on a plane we can actually have a dry landing.
But most of all every kid rich or poor had the opportunity to be successful in this country we feed and educate our poor. Why do you think everybody wants to come to this country because we have laws that protect us against the corporate elite and wealthy. But this GD republican agenda that constantly attacks the poor and middle class and we have i***ts that buy into these people because they say We will protect you from all those Mexican rapist and murders and gun dealers and kick those Muslims out of this country but you're to GD stupid to see there real agenda.
Jun 18, 2016 14:15:36 #
And your the stupid one you want t0 elect Hillery. Taken more money from special interest than anyone in History. But she is for the little guy My ass she is. She is for Hillery and no one else
Jun 18, 2016 14:20:01 #
Yeah but the bad part is Obama will use tax payer money to bail them out of the mess they are creating.
BigMike wrote:
Oregon deserves wh**ever it gets. It's their baby.
Jun 18, 2016 14:32:37 #
Jun 18, 2016 14:44:37 #
Don't live anywhere near Seattle but anyone with just half a brain forcing any wage will hurt the average joe and forcing raises will never end and someone will always be on the low end of the totem pole.
jimahrens wrote:
Just talk to the people of Seattle see how well is working for them.
Jun 18, 2016 14:58:34 #
700 jobs lost first week minimum wage took effect in Seattle. Now there is thousands lost in revenue. So what do you think comes next Sales tax increase to fix losses then what comes next higher wages to offset tax increase on and on and on.
Jun 18, 2016 15:33:31 #
Not a pretty picture they draw
jimahrens wrote:
700 jobs lost first week minimum wage took effect in Seattle. Now there is thousands lost in revenue. So what do you think comes next Sales tax increase to fix losses then what comes next higher wages to offset tax increase on and on and on.
Jun 18, 2016 15:37:08 #
Never fix anything that is not broke fix the i***t that is trying to fix it.
Jun 18, 2016 16:45:03 #
jimahrens wrote:
Never fix anything that is not broke fix the i***t that is trying to fix it.
Sorry Jim , we just can't deport democrats and if we shoot em there would be a mess to clean up and my s**t shovel just ain't big enough ..
Jun 18, 2016 17:09:52 #
Jun 18, 2016 18:21:23 #
Shot them, have a Case 570 MXT Backhoe that first can be used to dig holes and then bury them then we just hose it off.
reconreb wrote:
Sorry Jim , we just can't deport democrats and if we shoot em there would be a mess to clean up and my s**t shovel just ain't big enough ..
Jun 18, 2016 19:03:40 #
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