Increase In Oregon Minimum Wage

Effective in 2017, Oregon will be increasing its minimum wage from the current $9.25 per hour to $11.50 per hour. The minimum wage will be increased yearly until it reaches $15 per hour in 2019.
“Small businesses are saying it would reduce the number of jobs, or at least slow down hiring,” Chris Short, an economics teacher at South, said. “In Massachusetts, the minimum wage has been increased, and the businesses that pay minimum wage have had to make their employees work less hours.”
“I know it will increase wages, but I am concerned it will decrease jobs,” Javan Kargel ‘17 said.
Throughout the nation, there is a law that states an employer of a legitimate or registered business cannot pay the employee less than the Federal Minimum Wage minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour. The provisions of this are stated in the Fair Labor Standards Act. People believe that the new, increased wage will hurt small businesses, because they may not be able to support the new cost of their employees.
“I think it is the opposite of beneficial, because it will raise prices of products,” Alexandria Clark ‘17 said. “Minimum wage jobs are not meant for living off of, but rather for temporary employment.”
Other people say that, because employers would not be able to pay their wages, this will lay employees off. The argument is countered with the thought that this will put more money into people’s wallets, allowing them to spend more money.