Portland Considers Minimum Wage Increase on November Ballot
Portland City Council members are currently deliberating whether to include a minimum wage increase referendum question on the November ballot. This decision comes after a recent city council meeting where councilors proposed an amendment that would raise the minimum wage to $19 per hour by 2028, rather than the previously suggested $20 per hour by 2029.
If approved, Portland voters will have the opportunity to decide on this measure during the upcoming election. The current minimum wage in the city is set at $15.50 per hour. The proposed increase would be implemented in stages over three years, with incremental raises leading up to the final target of $19 per hour in 2028.
The first adjustment would take effect in 2026, raising the minimum wage to $16.75 per hour. The following year, it would increase to $17.75 per hour, and finally reach $19 in 2028. However, this proposal has sparked significant debate among local business owners and community members.
The increase would only apply to workers within Portland city limits, but many business owners are strongly opposed to the plan. They argue that rising costs due to inflation and increased rent make it difficult to absorb such a large wage hike. Several business owners met with the Portland Chamber of Commerce last week to discuss the potential impact of the proposed change.
Many participants in these discussions emphasized that there is little room for additional financial strain. They believe that if the minimum wage increases significantly, they would also have to raise salaries for more experienced employees. Some business owners even suggested that if the measure passes, they may be forced to close their businesses in Portland and relocate elsewhere.
David Turin, owner of David’s Restaurant, expressed concerns about the potential consequences of the proposal. He argued that the city council is shifting responsibility onto voters instead of making the decision themselves.
“The people of Portland already voted for their city council. They voted for them because they trust them. They empowered them to make these decisions, and the city council should make the decision,” Turin said. “If they really think that the minimum wage should go up, they should take the vote that they have to take on the city council and hold their heads up high and hold their hands in the air and say, ‘that’s what I voted for.’ And if it doesn’t turn out well, then people can say, ‘Well I don’t like what you did.’”
Wes Pelletier, a member of the Portland City Council, explained that the council cannot unilaterally adjust the minimum wage without putting it to a public vote. This restriction stems from a referendum passed in 2020, which requires voter approval for any changes to the minimum wage.
As the debate continues, the future of the minimum wage in Portland remains uncertain. The outcome of the November ballot will determine whether the proposed increase becomes law or not. Business owners, residents, and city officials are all closely watching the developments as the city prepares for the upcoming election.
