Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Plans set for 30th annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Vigil ... How'd you get into theater? 'The stage doors were open' ... Mix saw thousands of dollars go down the drain when water didn't ... Plans set for 30th annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Vigil ... How'd you get into theater? 'The stage doors were open' ... Mix saw thousands of dollars go down the drain when water didn't ... LOCAL TAKE Should workers be paid at least $15 an hour? Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 8:12 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 8:12 PM » RELATED CONTENT What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter. » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter . • Should tree be removed to make way for affordable housing? • Do you go to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival shows? » Social News Oregon’s minimum wage was raised to $9.25 at the start of the year. It’s well above average for the nation. Half of states, including Oregon, have a minimum wage above the federal standard of $7.25. Five states — all in the south — have no minimum wage (other than the federal minimum).  The minimum wage is widely decried as a starvation wage, something the average person can’t live on, thus requiring a second job. Others say it's not intended to support a family, just to offer an entry-level position for those new to the workplace. The debate has raged for many decades: upping the minimum wage, on one hand, spurs spending and helps the economy, but others say the added expense means some people get laid off and extra costs are simply passed onto consumer prices, so there’s no real gain for anyone.  The Oregon legislature — Democratically controlled in both houses and the governor’s office — appears to be avoiding this political minefield this year. A bill (HB2009) that would hike the wage over three years (to $11.50 an hour in 2016, $13.25 in 2017 and finally to the magic number, $15 per hour, by 2018) is stalled in the Legislature. One sponsor, Sen. Chip Fields of Portland proclaimed the new slogan, “People in my district want a chance, not charity.”  This may pass the hot potato to voters and trigger a likely ad war against it from business interests.  We asked Ashlanders: “Should all businesses have to pay workers at least $15 an hour?”  Eli Jaxon-Bear — That’s criminal. It should be $20 an hour. People need to be able to live on what they earn as a comfortable existence. It’s never hurt to raise the minimum wage. If we have more money, we spend more and everyone is more prosperous.  Nicole Morgan — It’s a good idea to raise the minimum wage more than 50 cents at a time. The question is whether it will cause workers to have their hours cut. I want the minimum wage raised because the dollars per hour now is not enough to live on.  Mark D’Olivo — After seeing the large jump in minimum wage in Seattle, it seems not such a great idea because it’s a hardship on mom-and-pop businesses, and can put them over the edge. It’s a real noble idea, but the bureaucracy and red tape and taxes that small businesses have to go through to run a business are hard. Large businesses should be able to afford it, though.  Kevin Kennerly — The more money you pay workers, the more money is going back into the economy. Workers are the ones paying the cash into the economy. Businesses will pass the cost off to us but it will be minimal because the cost of retail goods only goes up so far before people stop buying. If the minimum wage is too low then no one’s buying anything. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected].   By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 8:12 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501