SALEM, Ore. — The minimum wage debate gained momentum at the Legislature on Friday when a handful of senators narrowly favored a newly proposed bill to raise wages in a three-tiered approached aimed at pleasing Oregon’s wide spectrum of urban and rural areas.
Although nothing is set in stone just yet, Friday’s decision was the first step forward on an issue that grew more contentious as the week progressed.
The proposal would raise the state’s current $9.25 an hour minimum by 50 cents in metro Portland and a group of counties that include Salem and Eugene starting in July, while the third category of rural counties would see a 25-cent increase. Gradual increases thereafter would take place annually through 2022, when Portland’s rate would be $14.75 an hour, other urban counties at $13.50 and rural counties at $12.50.
The panel’s two Republicans, Sens. Kim Thatcher and Tim Knopp, voted against the measure.
