Oregon Business Leaders Oppose Minimum Wage Hike

Oregon lawmakers recently passed a geographically based minimum-wage hike in spite of concerns from small businesses.

Wages inside Portland’s urban growth boundary will go up to $14.75 an hour by 2022. In urban counties, the rate will rise to $13.50, and in rural counties, $12.50. The minimum wage today is $9.25.

Anthony K. Smith, Oregon’s director for the National Federation of Independent Business, said the law will force small businesses to make difficult decisions.

“(Small businesses) are not going to be talking about ‘What do we do to expand? What do we do to hire more people?’,” Smith said. “They have to decide whether to reduce hours for employees, raise prices on customers, make a reduction in their workforce, relocate their business, or maybe even close their doors.”

Source: The Daily Signal, part of The Heritage Foundation S