Portland officials delay wage hike vote

Portland officials have decided to delay a vote on Mayor Michael Brennan's proposal to raise the city's minimum wage from $7.50 an hour to $9.50.

The Portland Press Herald reported that the Portland City Council's Finance Committee likely won't cast a vote on the measure until January or February. The committee's vote would serve as a recommendation for the full council.

In citing its desire to delay the vote, the committee said it would like to have an economic impact study conducted, among other additional work.

During the public comment period, representatives from the city's hotel and restaurant industries said a city-level wage hike could drive businesses away. Others said that an increase to $9.50 wouldn't be enough to cover the cost of living in Portland.

Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce spokesman Chris O'Neil said the minimum wage debate should happen at the state and federal level instead. State Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, co-owner of Bayside Bowl, told the newspaper that raising the minimum wage is "morally the right thing to do."

If passed, the measure would raise the city's minimum wage to $9.50 in the first year, to $10.10 in the second year and to $10.68 in the third year, with additional increases in the future based on cost-of-living adjustments.

The measure also calls for setting aside $50,000 to hire someone to enforce the rule. Another $50,000 would be designated for legal challenges the city might face as a result of the rule.

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