Minimum wage, maximum mess in Oregon

Fox News ^ | 2016 June 10 | Dan Springer

[CutePuppy]

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 ballot, 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." ..... < snip >

..... 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. ..... < snip >

[CutePuppy]

Another fine mess on the road to hell paved with politically correct seemingly "good intentions".

[Lexington Green]

Micro-management = Macro-aggresssion

[jsanders2001]

"I'd like a $1 burger and fries off the dollar menu"

"I'm sorry, sir. That option is no longer available"

"Okay then, I'll have a cheeseburger and fries".

"That will be $12.50 sir"

"WTF?!!"

This will be the reaction from Millenials and liberals everywhere. Expect to hear it over and over again as they whine and complain about it relentlessly soon.

[DIRTYSECRET]

It will NOT be the reaction of the millennials. They are unable to put 2 + 2 together.

[jonascord]

Millenials are too f#cking stupid for cause/effect. It's one of those math things, like cursive, that public education has determined is useless.

They will blame corporate greed, from 1%ers...

[PIF]

Expect everything to rise in price by the percentage difference between the current minimum wage and the projected one. Expect mass migration out of OR.

[DAC21]

If this leftist State says 40,000 less jobs, I say my a$$, at least double that number. These moron Politicians foster the moonbat mentality of the populace then have to cram through a bill to water down the moonbattery they created.

[econjack]

I just love it when bureaucrats have enough hubris to think they can outperform a mechanism that solves a billion simultaneous equations every 10 nanoseconds.

[JPG]

$15?

Order from the robot.

[Amendment10]

Other than constitutional amendments which prohibit the states from doing things, and as long as a state employs a republican form of government (4.4), there’s nothing stopping a given state from using its 10th Amendment-protected power to practice social Darwinism and shoot both feet off.

I suppose that the country can always remove stars from the flag for such states.

[jmaroneps37]

Maybe this is why Trump is already up 2 points in an Oregon poll

[Organic Panic]

Separate but equal

[Da Bilge Troll]

This movie deserves some popcorn.

[SunkenCiv]

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 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." ... 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.

BTW, I'm 100 percent against a one-size-fits-all federal minimum wage; such a practice is unconstitutional and should be repealed and prohibited. If *states* want to do it, fine; I would also point out that Oregon has one idea that makes sense there -- basing their minimum wage on estimated cost of living depending on where one lives.

OTOH, so much for equal protection under the law; also, what about those who live in a (theoretically) higher wage area (higher cost of living) but work in a rural area? Best approach is to just get rid of it altogether.

I'd also point out that this is yet another example of liberal racism -- they want a so-called living wage for non-illegals to be in the law, thus keeping their posh gated communities and rural manses secure.

[Calvin Locke]

Why are these numbnutts worrying about something a decade away?

That's multiple elections away...

Perhaps the effects are being felt much sooner, and the public is connecting the dots?

[Lion Den Dan]

Why any minimum wage? Wage too low, no one comes to work. Wages are not a matter for government.

[familyop]

Many discount stores, grocery stores and fast food restaurants in western tourist areas pay that much anyway. No big deal. No real change. Let those states do what they want. The federal wage is still low and will remain low.