A Letter From Your NFIB/Oregon State Director

Date: November 18, 2015

Have your voice heard: NFIB wants your feedback on the important issues impacting your business.

I’ve been on the job several months now, and it’s been quite a whirlwind as I have re-acclimated myself to life and politics in Oregon.

During the interim between legislative sessions, all of the lawmakers and lobbyists come back to town every other month for Legislative Days; three days of committee hearings. The good news is that so far, we haven’t been blindsided by anything. The bad news is that all the usual suspects are back – and of course, we’ll need to stay ever vigilant in 2016 and beyond. 

Supporters of a much higher state minimum wage showed up in force at the Capitol during Legislative Days in to make their intentions known. As you may have already heard, labor groups are fighting amongst themselves on how to go about raising Oregon’s minimum wage, but one thing is clear: a minimum wage increase will be voted on in 2016, whether in Salem or at the ballot box, or both! 

Recently, Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industry announced that Oregon’s $9.25/hr minimum wage would not increase for 2016 (according to the mandated CPI adjustment formula). This may create a perceived temporary reprieve in the minds of many, but it undoubtedly emboldens supporters of an increase to get something done in 2016. Some groups are shooting for a $13.50/hr minimum wage increase and others are holding out for $15/hr like we’ve seen in Seattle and San Francisco.

Most recently, Governor Kate Brown has stated publicly that one of her top priorities during the upcoming February short session will be working with legislative leaders and labor groups (and reportedly even a few business groups) on a deal to raise the minimum wage. We don’t yet know what that “compromise” will look like, but if she’s going to head-off the union-backed ballot measure proposal of $13.50/hr, it must surely raise the wage significantly.

Add in the possibility that lawmakers might try to repeal the current state law that prevents cities and counties from enacting their own minimum wage laws and you’ve got a minimum wage perfect storm brewing. 

We need your input on these important state issues! You should have already received your official NFIB/Oregon 2016 State Member Ballot via email. If you haven’t yet voted, please do so now!

Anthony K. Smith
NFIB/Oregon State Director

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