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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Roseburg shooting victim describes gunman's rampage ... Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise walls and hope for Medford family ... Gold Hill residents say city dawdled as streets flooded ... Roseburg shooting victim describes gunman's rampage ... Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise walls and hope for Medford family ... Gold Hill residents say city dawdled as streets flooded ... OREGON Oregon minimum wage to stay at $9.25 in 2016 Comment By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 3:43 PM Updated Sep 16, 2015 at 4:57 PM By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 3:43 PM Updated Sep 16, 2015 at 4:57 PM » Social News PORTLAND — Oregon's minimum wage will stay the same in 2016. The wage is re-calculated each year because of a state law passed by voters in 2002 that ties it to inflation. The wage will remain stuck at $9.25 this January because it is pegged to the Consumer Price Index, which showed little inflation, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian said Wednesday. Roughly 100,000 Oregon workers make the minimum wage, which translates to $19,240 a year for those who put in 40 hours a week. In January, the wage went from $9.10 an hour to $9.25. Oregon's minimum wage is the second-highest in the nation — $2 above the federal minimum of $7.25. But the announcement that it won't be going higher until at least 2017 will likely increase pressure from liberal groups for the Democrat-controlled state Legislature to act. A group of labor unions and progressive activists recently announced an effort to raise Oregon's minimum wage to $13.50. The attempt is competing with a separate group, 15 Now, which supports a $15 statewide minimum wage. The Legislature considered several bills earlier this year that would have raised the minimum wage — each lacked sufficient support. Business interests oppose an increase, saying it would be tough on small business owners. Avakian, a Democrat, said he supports a $13.50 minimum wage and said the Legislature should make it happen when it convenes again in February. As labor commissioner, Avakian sets the state's minimum wage based on the Consumer Price Index and oversees its enforcement. He said he was surprised there wasn't enough inflation to trigger even a nickel increase. The index measures what consumers pay for a market basket of consumer goods and services. "A low-income family has got to buy food — that's in that (market) basket," Avakian said. "They've also got to pay skyrocketing rent in Portland and Eugene — that's not in that basket, so they're struggling." By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 3:43 PM Updated Sep 16, 2015 at 4:57 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501