Statement on Gov. Kate Brown’s Minimum Wage Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PORTLAND, Ore. – The business representatives of the Governor's work group on minimum wage believe the Governor's proposal is a missed opportunity to move forward with a plan that works for all of Oregon. However, we remain hopeful a minimum wage that will work for both rural and urban Oregon can be salvaged in the Legislature.
For two months, at the governor’s request, employers came to the table in a sincere effort to negotiate a reasonable minimum wage increase that would be passed by the Oregon Legislature in February, and result in the withdrawal of potential ballot measures in November 2016.
From the beginning, we had principles we thought should be incorporated in any minimum wage increase:
We look forward to working with legislators to express our concerns and continue our efforts to build a minimum wage plan that will work for all of Oregon.
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
Northwest Grocery Association
Oregon Business Association
Oregon Health Care Association
Oregon Association of Nurseries
Portland Business Alliance
PORTLAND, Ore. – The business representatives of the Governor's work group on minimum wage believe the Governor's proposal is a missed opportunity to move forward with a plan that works for all of Oregon. However, we remain hopeful a minimum wage that will work for both rural and urban Oregon can be salvaged in the Legislature.
For two months, at the governor’s request, employers came to the table in a sincere effort to negotiate a reasonable minimum wage increase that would be passed by the Oregon Legislature in February, and result in the withdrawal of potential ballot measures in November 2016.
From the beginning, we had principles we thought should be incorporated in any minimum wage increase:
- It must work for all of Oregon;
- It should phase in on a reasonable schedule that protects against potential job losses;
- It should ensure minimum wage policy continues to be set at the state, not local, level; and
- It should include an opportunity for training programs for youth and other populations starting in their careers.
- The plan Governor Brown announced today does not adequately incorporate these principles.
We look forward to working with legislators to express our concerns and continue our efforts to build a minimum wage plan that will work for all of Oregon.
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
Northwest Grocery Association
Oregon Business Association
Oregon Health Care Association
Oregon Association of Nurseries
Portland Business Alliance