The minimum wage in the United States is $7.25. In comparison, Washington’s minimum wage is $16.28 per hour and California’s minimum wage is $16.00 an hour. Oregon’s minimum wage depends where you live. The standard minimum wage is $14.20. The Portland Metro minimum wage is $15.45 and the non-urban counties minimum wage is $13.20.
Starting on April 1, California will raise the minimum wage for fast food workers from $16 to $20. Following suit, Washington has introduced a new bill specific to Seattle requiring a minimum wage of $19.97.
In Oregon and California, minimum wage is dependent on location and not occupation. Washington maintains its $16.28 across all counties, but larger cities have higher wages. As housing costs soar and the price of essentials continues to rise, the inadequacy of the current wage floor becomes increasingly apparent.
In Oregon, the standard minimum wage will change on July 1, 2024, depending on the US City average Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. In the Portland Metro area, it would be adjusted to remain $1.25 above the standard minimum wage. An outcome of these changes will be increased prices at fast food restaurants.
Many fast food workers don’t get tips, which may mean they are more reliant on wages.
Senior Arlo Wood says he works at the Chipotle on Burnside St. because of its proximity to Lincoln.
“People don’t tip often and when they do, we usually get card tips,” said Wood.
Senior Lance Ricker, who often frequents the local McDonald’s, believes that the increased pricing will be for a good cause.
“Some previous price increases have already made me change where [and when] I go,” said Ricker. “[Workers] need to be paid a livable wage, but I also feel like it doesn’t need to come out of the consumer, though [chains] don’t want to cut into their profits.”
Note: This article was edited for accuracy on March 18, 2024
![First time voters at Lincoln reflect on the 2024 election. “I think [rank choice voting] allows us to have better representation by our candidates,” said Maxwell Warren.](https://cardinaltimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-17-4.20.28-PM.png)
Regina Cornell • Mar 20, 2024 at 7:40 am
And you wonder why some people leave their jobs to work at fast food ..but also they only work part time some of them. Plus your food their is increasing going up just for a meal . It’s ridiculous to eat out . Even though you may crave a burger or French fry at one of your favorite spots the prices for 2 people not too mention a family of 4 is crazy. I hardly ever. If I do I go to a sit down restaurant that I like and enjoy .a full course meal for the money ,because half what I spend on a good meal , half of it would is like spending on fast food . I rather have a good healthy full course meal .
Carl S Gangl • Mar 19, 2024 at 10:01 pm
So the bottom will be gone and who is left will work harder. And kids will be priced out for being less productive.
Pete • Mar 19, 2024 at 5:28 pm
This is called wage discrimination. Why do one set of people make more? Cna’s and security guards should also be making $25 per hour atleast.
Amy • Mar 19, 2024 at 2:25 pm
This does not solve the underlying problem. It creates a circle effect. The childcare worker now has to be paid more so child cares more so even though I’m making more I’m really not. The man stalking the grocery shelves is now paid more so my food is more at the end of the day. I’m not bringing anymore home to my family. We are missing the root of the problem. We are putting small businesses out of business – We are no longer going to have family Farms. We are going to have corporations. We have kids going to College for four years graduate as a teacher or as admin etc are going to come out making nearly the same wage as somebody making a Big Mac. We need to get back to the basics – And this is not the solution.
As a mom who pinched pennies cut coupons Had a budget and was able to raise three amazing young men on it. We didn’t go without We made choices. Maybe some moms need to go to the budgeting table and show him how it’s done ? You’re taking away what I’ve tried to instill in my kids to work hard for. It Is going to be harder and harder to be able buy a house and save for retirement.
Maybe the people making these decisions need to get back into the trenches and talk to families that are facing these situations every day. We are failing.
Christoffer • Mar 19, 2024 at 8:19 pm
If you take inflation into account since the FIRST minimum wage which was in 1936 at 25¢ an hour, the wage today should be $5.62/hour. But during the depression we were desperate people. Keep in mind we went through 72 years of a Republican led Congress & most our presidents were republicans as well. They catered to corporations & the wealthy & nobody except the Communists catered to Workers Rights, Wages, & Unionizing. Democrats were basically non existent since the civil war & catered to southern politics. But after the Republicans allowed Wall Street to run our economy into the ground & people were losing fortunes, a 33% unemployment rate with NO unemployment pay, No food stamps, No bailout for banks, virtually no plan to build the economy back up, & President Hoover calling the Army to shoot world war 1 Veterans that were protesting his refusal to keep a campaign promise of bonuses to ww1vets, this nation was looking at a Soviet & Stalin backed communist revolution. People were demanding reform &
Govt services & thats when Roosevelt was elected & democrats became social. If the democrats did not make reforms we would be communist today. One of the first reforms was a minimum wage which was 25¢ an hour or $2 for an 8 hr day which if u take inflation into account is $5.62/hour today or $44.96 for an 8 hr day. Our Federal minimum wage is $7.25 WE ARE doing a hell of a lot better than we were in 1932. What we learned is CAPITALISM WITHOUT a little bit of SOCIALISM TO CONTROL IT is a guaranteed failure. Likewise we saw with the Soviets… Socialism can not succeed without Capitalism to build an economy. Its a equal delicate balance. $20/hr for fast food workers is outrageous & dangerous.
The fast food industry is already losing money & people aren’t buying $12 Big Macs anymore.
Carl • Mar 19, 2024 at 10:05 pm
Think it through if they go out of business then what, are you helping or just passing a feel good law.
Mark J Parish • Mar 19, 2024 at 2:24 pm
Can we please bring back good jobs. Then we wouldn’t have to try and support a family on a fast food job.
Ron_Chee • Mar 19, 2024 at 11:26 am
The majority of people getting that raise won’t deserve it. The work ethic should dictate the amount of the raise. Orders will still be screwed up and attitudes will still be bad.
HonestyandRealityGuy • Mar 19, 2024 at 11:05 am
Idiocracy is here. Gotta luv those Democrats.
Deborah • Mar 19, 2024 at 10:18 am
Fast food workers should not make $20 an hour. Fast food jobs are mainly jobs for students or anyone in the first time job market gaining experience. The jobs that need a $20 hour base date to start are the billion dollar companies and then depending on experience and degree award more pay wage. Companies are hiring off the street no experience at $20 and keeping dedicated experienced employees at their low wage and the company response is (You can leave, Resign).
Joe Biden • Mar 19, 2024 at 2:04 pm
I agree fast food workers should not get $20 an hour they should get $5 an hour because it’s fast food and it’s less important that a fast food worker make $20 an hour then say a security guard because it’s more important that a security guard make $20 an hour then a fast food worker because the fast food worker should get less because it’s just fast food they’re just microwaving food
Mellen Lewis • Mar 19, 2024 at 2:41 pm
As a retired 61 years of working. Never made more than $15.00 phr. in WA. Easy to say leave, but when you have children to feed, cloth etc. not easy to do. Get another job first then leave.
WG • Mar 19, 2024 at 9:14 am
Raising the minimum wage will cost many people their jobs. These corporations will begin to cut positions to make up for the new cost. Who gets let go when cuts need to be made? Typically the newest employees, those making minimum wage! Fast food work is for highschool folks on their way to a career. As foe tipping fast food workers, not gonna happen. You order from a screen then someone slides a tray into a cabinet for you to pick up yourself. Want a tip? Go to school and get a better job after your entry level job.
Christi Copeland • Mar 20, 2024 at 12:23 am
Reading this, this simple equation, I explained it out like this, and I knew, lived, and taught this myself. Just goes to show why nobody could really answer my why’s? The (US) changes things that work? When we the (little poor) people down here, at the bottom of the totem pole, have lived it? Now, we as older/lived it, been there/done that, wiser/by experience folk are made to look senile and old (age went down so, 40). The “back in my day”, we had to hear how far all our parents had to walk, which, by the way, always had to be rainy and/or cold.
Now, it’s our turn we changed the walk, but nothing much else to show the point, that we now get and understand as adults. Work hard, hard work pays off, work hard better life.
It doesn’t matter where you live or color, that moment will come (believe me), it will happen when you realize you’re telling your kids just what your mom told you, our ah-ha moment. My son got his at 19, when he made my day. My piece of told you so apple pie. He wished he had listened to my “future” talks and all the miles I had to put on my own car that I had to drive with my own 2 bare hands (actually for real) on the steering wheel, or not having access to my own personal chauffeur (stranger no less) that carts them off in their own personal car.
My point finally… I feel good about my “back in the day”, the back in my day was the best day/time. Simple. It seems (to me) like we’re trying to keep up with the Jones’s. Let’s see how long this lasts, making it easier and easier for these future dare I say adults. While at 53 I’m still having to work my ass off, thinking I’m in the Twilight Zone every time it’s mentioned that our kids who are just starting out on the infinity work journey that when they get their first raise they now make more than you!
Im still flabbergasted when I read or hear the age, the crime that was committed, little to no consequences, and so-called punishment is shocking.
Look on the bright side,
I heard from my son there’s a cushy new gamer chair that you don’t have to get up to use the bathroom!! Also, there’s a rumor going around that maybe, maybe a 48th “CALL of DUTY”! 🤞
Indrid • Mar 19, 2024 at 8:43 am
This is not a win. Prices have been going up and wages have been stagnant for years. We are in a worst recession than in the great depression. I work as a dsp making 20 dollars an hour and I still have to go to the food bank to get groceries. The minimum wage should be at least 25 dollars with how much the cost of living has increased. One dollar is one, not enough. Two, if fast food prices and shit is going up anyways this doesn’t make a difference.
These are billion dollar industries that I promise you, are not going to go under over paying their employees a livable wage. A one dollar raise will make no difference. Raise minimum wage in a way that will let people eat at the grocery store without thinking buying a stick of cheese will put them under debt.
Just wondering • Mar 19, 2024 at 8:39 am
In oregon it’s where you live. live in a big city you get paid more . live in a less populist area you’ll get paid less.
Regardless of where you live the price of everything is still high.
Tony • Mar 19, 2024 at 7:15 am
There’s nothing in fast food that is top worthy. Not only that, cheap junk fillers. Aside, this will push small businesses to the brink and more shut downs, raise the cost of living higher then what minimum wage increase will do, in the end doing no good. This has been going on forever and democrats are too stupid to understand basic economics, as if they never went through economics anything. This does me or anyone else no good. You all start thinking on a second job because this will kick you down. Never vote for a democrat for anything economically anything.
Jerry • Mar 19, 2024 at 6:41 am
Stupid flipping government….a Frickin hamburger it’s a freaking starting level job while you go to college it’s not a freaking career this is ruining us..
Sheryl • Mar 19, 2024 at 4:45 am
The amount to qualify for EBT that you cannot go over for a single person in Oregon is $2430/month before taxes are taken out. Which runs $9.49/HR.
If they take that $16-20/hr job FT, they will not qualify for EBT or other benefits they have. So their cost of living will decrease, so why would they?
I believe this is what a lot of people look at when they are needing/wanting government assistance vs working these higher paying minimum wage jobs FT where the employer may or may not offer benefits. Which, to me, explains why there is help wanted signs everywhere.
Are the states that raise the minimum wage going to change the qualifying amount for state aid when they increase the minimum wage?
B Dubb • Mar 19, 2024 at 12:45 am
Was does everyone want to BLAME higher cost on Inflation when it back to close to normal.
The real reason is wage hikes, as wages rise so does the cost of products ( the politicians KNOW this). How & where do stores get the funds to pay more for employee inflation & thier own greed.
ANSWER !! RAISE PRICES & let the consumer pay it.
Hello Pretty • Mar 19, 2024 at 7:34 am
False. The cost of meat is higher because ranchers are raising less cattle. Less cattle means higher beef prices. A bird flu wiped out 10,000s of chicken Farms. Farmers were forced to destroy (kill) thousands of birds due to disease. Chicken prices and egg prices are still feeling the impact. We have no shortage of wheat, so wheat product prices are back to normal. Pasta, bread prices are way down from pandemic high. Pork prices are down also. Some corporations are price gauging because they can. Some livestock is affected by climate change lack of grazing land. Wild fires destroyed grape vines in my area, which drove up wine prices. It really has very little to do with wages.
DuckbergMcStack • Mar 19, 2024 at 1:42 pm
Chickensluvestock were perfectly healthy, no need to eradicate al, the livestock- which they did on purpose and farmers were rewarded with bonus pay from government in doing so limiting even more foid supply. Depopulation misery method is the end game here. Control over the massess. Wealthy cabal politicians are unaffected.
Diego • Mar 18, 2024 at 9:31 pm
That’s great now ban the price increase of all products for 5 years then watch how things start getting better for everyone
Travis • Mar 18, 2024 at 9:26 pm
Hey here’s a wild idea how about instead of increasing the minimum wage to reduce the tax % for anyone earning less than $40,000 a year to zero
Mike • Mar 18, 2024 at 9:03 pm
Insult to people that actually went to college for a career. Fast food is not a career, it’s a short term fix. Paying FF workers $20 an hour is the most thing I’ve ever heard.
Mikie5g • Mar 19, 2024 at 4:53 pm
Now it’s only going to make it harder for me to hire someone at $17 an hr.
In the trade I’m in we start from the bottom and bust our arse, sweat and tears to make it to the top.
Whatever happened to striving to make a better life?? Sad days we are living in..
Theresa • Mar 18, 2024 at 8:44 pm
Tips? When did tips become mandatory? Tips used to be given when a worker went above and beyond, not simply for bothering to show up and giving the minimum performance necessary. Sometimes, minimum performance is giving far too much credit. And, seriously people, where do you think the increase in minimum wage is going to come from? Corporate CEOs’ pockets? Please! It will ALWAYS come out of the pockets of the consumer, now or later. So, before you go screaming how wages are unfair and you need a raise, ask yourself who you are giving a raise to. It isn’t you, my friend. You are giving a raise to the wealthiest and taking it out BTW as this is just more of the entitled of that amazing new minimum wage you just passed. Good job! More from the entitled generation who can’t look up past their screens long enough to get a clue.
Double D • Mar 18, 2024 at 8:43 pm
How does this help with the cost of living? All this will do is make the prices of everything go up to cover the raised salary, which only dissolves the new pay raise, making this whole thing pointless.
Robert Gutheridge • Mar 18, 2024 at 8:40 pm
What people don’t realize is that these businesses don’t give up their profit margin they lay people off they raise prices of whatever they sell to compensate for the wage increase therefore yeah maybe you make another dollar an hour but everything you buy just went up in prices so in the end the only ones that actually benefit is the government because you’re extra pay often bumps you into the next higher tax bracket my paychecks 4 years ago I took home more than I do now even though I make $3.50 more an hour now the difference is eating up in taxes so the government’s only one that truly benefits I pay more for everything I buy
CJ • Mar 18, 2024 at 8:33 pm
And this is exactly why I won’t eat out anymore. If companies want to raise prices so they don’t lose profit, they will eventually be shut down due to lack of customers. You’re digging your own holes restaurant chains. Keep up the good work.
Natylie Baldwin • Mar 18, 2024 at 8:21 pm
Can’t believe the elitism in the comments here. Suggesting that people who don’t have special skills shouldn’t make enough to live on. Before the genius policy makers decided to deindustrialize this country, unskilled people who worked in a factory could support a family with a middle class lifestyle. The elitists commenting here would have resented their making a living from unskilled work. The deindustrialization and evolution of our economy into a low wage service economy is a big part of the problem. Service work is honest work and those doing it should be able to pay their rent and grocery bills.
Nick Taylor • Mar 18, 2024 at 8:15 pm
Minimum wage… The minimum wage a person must earn, in order to live.. Kids under 18 can only work a certain number of hours. Which is why the argument for them is invalid. But if you work 40 hours, you should be able to live on that. Fact, we have the highest gas prices in the US. We need gas to get to work. Nevermind daycare… Things today are so out of wack, but the band-aid knee jerk reaction is to raise minimum wage. Problem is, MCDONALD’S CEO makes hundreds times that of his hourly employees… No matter what state he or she is from. As is the same for Starbucks… And you can’t work at Starbucks or Mcdonalds in the morning if you are a student, so now you think that they shouldn’t make a livable wage, because they aren’t “skilled” labor?? Dollars to donuts, you’d crack if you have 6 cups with orders on them and a line full of people waiting to add their order.
Fact is capitalism is a terrible model when terrible people are determining the costs are for basic needs of human beings. Gas is the worst, the cost per gallon goes up, and they brag about shareholders making bank as they have record profits… That’s not the way it’s supposed to work. This is such a stupid topic, cause there is no way to fix it. But go ahead and keep raising costs and soon we’ll stop going to your restaurants and whatever else, cause we won’t be able to afford any of it..
Janice Gale Lawson • Mar 18, 2024 at 8:01 pm
What about home health aides? We take care of your loved ones.
Which is harder than flipping burgers. I guess burgers are more important that love ones. Pretty said Governor Newsome.
Kevin • Mar 18, 2024 at 7:41 pm
This is almost an 18% wage increase for the standard area in Oregon!! 18%! As a small business owner, it is increasingly difficult to keep our heads above water with each wage increase, plus high taxes and new/ higher fees each year. We will have to adjust our prices to reflect this, as will every other business.
Mike • Mar 18, 2024 at 9:40 pm
According to a lot of these idiots you are rich because you own a business and therefore should just absorb the cost of rising labor due to states setting a min wage so high. Most of these people just punch a clock and have no clue how running a business works. If a business owner is going to take the chance to build a business their money, time, effort and provide jobs for others, they have the right to make as much money as they can. A minimum wage was never set up and meant to support a family. If you don’t like the min wage you’re getting paid then stop working at a place that traditionally was employed by High Schoolers and get a big boy job!
Avery Horton • Mar 19, 2024 at 7:44 am
In the past, I thought the same as you but I was mistaken. The original intent of minimum wage was that is was a living wage. Just Google minimum wage history, and see for yourself. The elected officials failed to maintain the original intent.
Brannan Rogers • Mar 18, 2024 at 5:28 pm
FYI, there has been nothing from the State of Oregon that has been passed, or released, that supports the statement that the minimum wage will increase by $1.25 an hour on July 1st of 2024. I emailed the Cardinal Times about this and they said that this information was on the link provided in the article; however, there is nothing on that url from the State of Oregon that supports this. I have asked the Cardinal Times to please verify this information, but they have not done that yet.
Anthony • Mar 18, 2024 at 5:27 pm
Lack of tips to rely on? No worker should rely on tips to earn a living wage. Servers or fast food workers. Wages should not be paid by customers. And as states it’s unreliable income.
Livable wages by employers. Tips extra.
Marshe LaVette Long • Mar 18, 2024 at 7:42 pm
Agreed
Jonny • Mar 18, 2024 at 5:26 pm
Raise minimum wage? Good way to control the fat crisis in this country and raise everything else so some inexperienced individual can have a bigger check. Hah jokes on them just higher taxes and higher prices. Look at the raise in wage to 15.00 hour FOR UNSKILLED just entering the work force with NO SKILLS did for us….. Higher prices.
So go ahead idiots raise that wage and watch these restaurants close.
Jay • Mar 18, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Why does this article state newsom included an exemption for flynn like its fact when both have repeatedly denied this and its been ruled that Panera is not exempt?
Joany Carlin • Mar 18, 2024 at 8:48 pm
Thank you for your comment. We have revised the article for accuracy and published a new version.
Bill • Mar 18, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Just keep raising the minimum wage. Won’t be Long and fast food will be gone. $20 for a big Mac or a whopper? I don’t think so !
Minimum wage jobs are not ment to live off of period !!! Minimum wage are for people just getting into the job market. Or to supplement your income. IT IS NOT MENT TO MAKE A LIVING ON !!
Chris H. • Mar 18, 2024 at 9:11 pm
Thanx so much for your opinion!
Tim • Mar 18, 2024 at 4:21 pm
A fast food job is supposed to be an entry level job, not a career. This whole living wage argument is asinine. For God’s sake, aspire to be more!
Farmguy • Mar 18, 2024 at 2:47 pm
A minimum wage increase raises wages right up the ladder and creates more inflation, fewer jobs with more homeless. A better way would have been to subsidize lower wage earners. As it is many farms and businesses are going bankrupt because they couldn’t keep up with overall inflation. Google farm bankruptcies in California to get a glimpse of whats happening.
Eagle • Mar 18, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Australia pays like 25 $ in fast food restaurants and education, healthcare and many other services are free. They have great paid maternity leave and the same with Scandinavia. You worry about the wage increase but not Worry about tens of trillions of dollars spent on military ,banks and corporations bail outs?
T • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:48 pm
This is dumb learn a trade or another skilled
job for higher pay, fast food is not meant to be a retirement job, y’all keep it up next thing you know all fast food will be automated. The price of the food is going to go up as well… $20 min wage a joke
Brannan Rogers • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:44 pm
Not so sure about this article. I live in Oregon and I am unable to verify this sentence: “Beginning July 1, 2024, Oregon will raise the minimum wage by $1.25, making the total $16.65 for the Portland Metro Area.”
Has anybody else been able to verify this as a fact?
Joany Carlin • Mar 18, 2024 at 7:31 pm
We have changed the statement to “In Oregon, the standard minimum wage will change on July 1, 2024, depending on the US City average Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. In the Portland Metro Area, it would be adjusted to remain $1.25 above the standard minimum wage.” Thank you for pointing this out!
vicki • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:33 pm
I think all min wage in california needs to go up. it’s impossible le to survive on 16 an hour even full time.
Jackie • Mar 18, 2024 at 3:21 pm
Minimum wage jobs were never meant to survive on. They were meant to be starter jobs for young people to gain some work experience and spending money while they received an education and built up skills they could make a living on. The problem is people have tried to turn them into careers instead of using them for their original purpose
Noneya beezwax • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:33 pm
It’s hilarious that everyone thinks that the minimum wage is what’s causing inflation lmfao, no, raising the minimum wage is the consequences of electing leaders that tell you taxing and over regulating specific industries will help the climate, no they just see you idiots for what you are and tell you what they think will scare you enough to be ok with everything they’ve done to screw up your life on a daily basis, so you don’t pay attention to how rich they (the elected leaders) are getting from climate agenda lobbiests and campaign doners. They don’t care about the climate or the people, they just want your money and then they retire laughing all of you. If you think I’m lying just look up the net worth of some of your favorite leaders and then tell me they care about you.
The thing that makes the vast majority Republicans and now a lot of independents like myself like trump is because he’s already got his money from a long very successful career, he can’t be bribed bought or extorted by lobbiests, he speaks his mind and doesnt hide what he’s doing from the people. Doners flock to him because they like what he does not because they want something from him like with Democrats who literally take up whatever agenda is coming from the highest bidder
You threaten to tax businesses at the same rate as individual tax payers and they will do whatever it takes to accomplish their legally binding fiduciary duties to their shareholders, which means raising prices and laying off employees in anticipation of higher taxes whether it comes to fruition or not, because if they dont they can be sued into oblivion. Now how does having to shut down businesses help any community in any way? Same goes for the ridiculous climate regulations, ya let’s just shut down logging, making lumber prices skyrocket, forcing housing developers to abandon anything that resembles affordable housing for the minimum wage workers that actually do the shit that makes the world operate, you know, us essential workers that were forced to come face to face with hundreds if not thousands of extremely rude people who took out their COVID frustrations on us, got shit on during the shutdowns, you say don’t deserve to make enough to live just so your cheeseburger can be cheaper.
Or like no new gas stoves in restaurants, or forcing businesses to shut down because they say a 90 degree day is to hot for employees to work in or because there’s a wildfire 100 miles away but the smoke is kinda drifting over to your area. When you want to take out your frustrations on specific industries because you don’t agree with the way they have always operated by making new laws that make it more difficult for them to operate(cancel culture) they then have to raise prices to stay afloat. Raising minimum wage is just a consequence of government over reach. Maybe eventually people will understand that elections have extreme consequences, but I have my doubts
Troutster • Mar 18, 2024 at 5:51 pm
Hurray for you my brother of reality. Everything,yes EVERYTHiNG you stated is TRUE. The people that disagree will be crying for more welfare from all this agenda the Biden admin. has dumped on us all.
Thank you, thank you,thank you.
All the deniers that whine have no trade skills and can’t even shoot a gun to hit a target. They will starve.
Ernie • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:11 pm
I feel that if they are going to increase minimum wage the rest of us that use to be middle class that have skilled jobs should get the same percentage of wage increase. Pretty soon people will leave the skilled work and flip burgers that require no effort or experience as the minimum wage is getting closer to what use to be a middle class wage. The only ones making more money is the state and federal government off of the minimum wage people.
Jackie • Mar 18, 2024 at 3:29 pm
In the long-term raising the minimum wage does push up the wages of employees at every wage level. Of course it also pushes up prices to match. It only takes a few years for the new minimum wage to have less spending power than the old. Also, after a minimum wage hike, many lower wage workers tend to lose their jobs as businesses try to reduce costs. This is why increasing the minimum wage tends to hurt lower wage workers more than it helps them.
Michael J Leasure • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:08 pm
So in other words put more Americans out of work, it already cost near $20 dollars for a Big Mac Meal.
Josh • Mar 18, 2024 at 12:39 pm
Why so you can pay 30 for a number 1 . What a joke .We need to deflated to economy
Moose • Mar 18, 2024 at 11:22 am
It’s so nice to hear people finally acknowledging the fact that raising the minimum wage is what is destroying the middle class of this country.
Like you’re not, we need to have people that do the shitty jobs that no one else wants to do, and make less money to do it.
The minimum wage is what sets the standards for cost of living. If you raise the minimum wage, you raise the cost of living. It doesn’t actually increase the net income for the workers that are making minimum wage. What it does is lower the net income for the rest of the country.
It sucks, but it’s true
When you force McDonald’s to pay its workers $20 an hour, you can guarantee you’re going to see it. 30% price increase in their food, and they’re going to have less employees working, because they can’t afford it. It’s not their fault. They have a business to run.
If we want cheap food, served hot and fast, we can’t continue to price employees out of what these restaurants going to forward
Knock it off
Randy Grundstrom • Mar 18, 2024 at 10:51 am
What makes fast food workers desering of a higher minimum wage than other workers in California? If you demand a $20 minimum wage for one group it should be applied to all.
Robert C. • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:10 pm
Agreed!
Randy Grundstrom • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:56 pm
Also, what happens when $20 an hour is not enough to survive on ( which it already is in California due to the cost of living there)? What then? Minimum wage goes to $25 an hour? $30? What will be the minimum wage people will be demanding from the state?
Unknown • Mar 18, 2024 at 10:26 am
Every job should have minimum wage boosted. If only fast food workers get raised to TWENTY $ an hour and groceries and everything goes up… how do you think the real 16$ minimum wage workers will be? Most people work 1-3 jobs just to pay their groceries and rent. Now imagine when everything doubles up? What is this economy? People are working like peasants with more freedom than back then.
Travis • Mar 18, 2024 at 10:10 am
All this does is perpetuate the rise of inflation. Metaphorically the snake eating its own tail they increase wages to help offset inflation which also creates inflation due to increasing the cost of goods and service to pay the increased wages. Instead I believe they should be looking at the other states that are able to make it work with lower wages and still have a livable pay.
Bruce Mofford • Mar 18, 2024 at 11:10 am
Entry level jobs are just to give one the basics to learning how & why you should get an education and a financial career. Not to live and Recieve all the benefits that an education Brings
Aaron • Mar 18, 2024 at 10:02 am
How do people not realize that every time they raise minimum wage the price of everything goes up. Everywhere you buy things is going to make its same percentage. The higher the wage goes the farther the gap in affordability goes. Minimum wage was supposed to be an entry level position, learn skills to move up in the company or move on to a better job having more knowledge. It was never meant to be a wage to jump from job to job without skills expecting to be paid management wages. All raising minimum wage does is bring all the middle class down into poverty
E'Lisa Worrell • Mar 18, 2024 at 9:44 am
Thanks West Coast for the de-evaluation of my career and education. I went to college earned my degree and am still paying off my loans. Now the guy flipping burgers is making close to what I make??? I’m not getting a huge fat raise but I’ll definitely have to pay the hire prices to cover those raises.
Jackie • Mar 18, 2024 at 3:37 pm
Don’t worry. Within a fear years your wages will go up relative to the increase in minimum wage. Everyone’s will. Of course, prices will go up too. It happens every time the minimum wage increases and is why raising the minimum wage does not work to lift minimum wage workers out of poverty and often leaves them worse off then before the increase. The only way a minimum wage worker gets out of poverty is to gain skills that make them worth more than minimum wage, but some people refuse to understand that.
Navi • Mar 18, 2024 at 5:12 pm
Not sure what education or career you have but if it’s still paying close to $20/hr you did something wrong.
Troutster • Mar 18, 2024 at 6:25 pm
Hurray for you my brother of reality. Everything,yes EVERYTHiNG you stated is TRUE. The people that disagree will be crying for more welfare from all this agenda the Biden admin. has dumped on us all.
Thank you, thank you,thank you.
All the deniers that whine have no trade skills and can’t even shoot a gun to hit a target. They will starve.
Clint • Mar 18, 2024 at 9:41 am
Once again, stupidity and ignorance reigns supreme again. Let’s raise the minimum wage, regardless of the consequences that have happened every single time the minimum wage has been raised. Let’s incentivise people to continue to have a weak drive in regards to improvement of being better, obtaining more in life.
Fast food does NOT warrent $15+ an hour. It is NOT a skilled trade, nor should anyone in fast food be complaining about lack of tips, while making $15+ an hour for a non skilled job.
Fast food jobs are non skilled mediocre jobs meant as stepping stones to obtain better, higher paying employment, both skilled and unskilled.
Raising the minimum wage does absolutely nothing, except the following;
Raise shipping costs, raise consumable costs, raise the output of those making more than minimum wage as those people now have to pay more for everything without their wages being raised.
So how about we start making people accountable for their own lives and stop making EVERYONE else pay for their laziness, lack of drive, and self entitlement.
Jim H. • Mar 18, 2024 at 9:32 am
Minimum wage is supposed to be low income jobs, all you are doing is driving up the cost of fast food that won’t be affordable soon. Education is what is needed for these low income people, get off your lazy butts and be worthy, quit relying on society for free handouts. Go to school or even trade schools and maybe join the military and support your country.
Feed up • Mar 18, 2024 at 9:21 am
I will just stop going to the bigger fast food places and go to local ma and pa places that don’t have to comply to this outrageous bill. Fast food workers are for kids in high school, not a career
Gilbert Murray • Mar 18, 2024 at 7:56 am
Should be the same thruouy the entire STATE
Nickolas • Mar 18, 2024 at 6:05 am
These fast food jobs were designed for kids in or right out of high school. They don’t need to be making $16-$20 an hour. These are entry level jobs and should not be jobs that you base your career off of. If you want to get paid a higher wage get a career that requires you to learn a skilled trade.
Chuck • Mar 18, 2024 at 5:23 am
Hi guys,
The problem of course is always the elephant in the room that nobody wants to upset. And that elephant is the CEO, etc at the top of the food chain, literally and figuratively. When CEOs of this country “steal” a thousand times more per hour than they pay their employees then prices are going to always be through the roof. Everybody across the board should make the same wage based on their zip code that they live and work in. That’s the only fair way to have businesses in this country. Man the price of goods and services across the country would drop a drastically to 50 to 90% of what they are now. And would be a completely different country economically and everybody would be much much happier.
Scott • Mar 18, 2024 at 5:03 am
Fast food jobs are NOT created to make a career out of and should be considered part time employment.
Now with these new laws going into effect
we will see the collapse of fast food chains in Cal. Oregon. and Wash.
Good bye McDonalds!
Michael • Mar 18, 2024 at 4:47 am
How about the government take a huge cut in their wages including bonuses. 2027 will be 30 years since minimum wage was increased. The average kid doesn’t live past 30. We don’t need government period!!!! I’ve never seen minimum wage increase take that long to get higher. That’s roughly half my age. How about this. I retired in September, though was going to continue working past my full retirement age and had a debilitating stroke in October and paralyzed & can’t work anymore.
Michael Beason • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:52 am
Higher minimum wages will eventually kill off all the fast food restaurants.
Bob Johnson • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:50 am
There no free ride. A lot of jobs will e eliminated.
Shiela Rogers • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:38 am
This does not tell people in Oregon what the new minimum wage will be!!!!
Nancy • Mar 18, 2024 at 1:02 am
The rising inflation due to these increases and the ripple effect is has on food is stressing me out. I’m a senior citizen on a fixed income and the COLA increase does not reflect real inflation because it doesnt include things that rise at a higher extent so every year our checks buy less and less. I have a very real fear of having to go back to work.
Sandra Lytton • Mar 18, 2024 at 12:51 am
If wages go up people will tip less because people feel workers are being paid enought
Filicity ferial • Mar 17, 2024 at 11:28 pm
Security guards pay needs to go up too . Standard of living is very high . Guards should be paid $20..00 am hour as they are pays $16.00 an hour.
Tina lint • Mar 17, 2024 at 11:23 pm
The way the fast food prices are you might as well stay home and make it yourself. Can’t afford those prices they just get higher and higher.
Taz • Mar 17, 2024 at 11:03 pm
This is horrible. It’s only going to raise the prices on everything. It’s going to lower the value of the dollar also. Due to current policies it’s nearly impossible for someone like me, on the minimum disability allotted amount, to live. Thanks to the least respected states in the entire nation and the worst governors ever.
Glen • Mar 17, 2024 at 8:32 pm
Raising minimum wages hurts the people working for minimum wage more than it helps them! Cost of everything goes up, even the things they buy.The reason states want higher minimum wages is the more you make the more taxes they get. The best way to help everyone is to lower taxes.
Kathy Lewis • Mar 17, 2024 at 8:02 pm
Isn’t that interesting that Newsome exempted restaurants that “bake bread” from the wage increase? Not surprised.
M McPherson • Mar 17, 2024 at 5:46 pm
BS, minimum wage jobs were not meant to be permanent, only a starting place for high school kids or as a second. Now we can start saying goodbye to small businesses and affordable take out.
Danni Cooper • Mar 17, 2024 at 4:09 pm
When minimum wage goes up the price of goods increases so what’s the point ? And why is it that Seattle thinks it’s worse than other parts of the state? Here in Thurston Countythe cost of rent is so out of proportion to wages along with the cost of gas, electricity, cell phone & internet service and then there’s the cost of healthcare. It feels like the harder we work the harder gov. works against us. Leaving people no other option than to turn to gov for help. Vote for a change we need to stop what’s happening here in Wa state!
Marland Williams • Mar 17, 2024 at 3:39 pm
What about the wages for those of us in retail or grocery stores or even warehouses? Our wages should also be affected by this change
Tammy j christensen • Mar 18, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Yes!! Everytime these kids get a raise in their pay…I don’t get one…my wage is now worth less than it was…
Ramon M. Butiong • Mar 17, 2024 at 2:48 pm
At a 1000 in rent median salary should be 2100 a month for a single and leaves alone. I work full-time making 2100/17.70 an hour> all of a sudden my hours are cut big time it’s been 3 months . Lucky for me my credit is helping out. Sure the minimum wage will increase but your hours are partime
unknown • Mar 17, 2024 at 2:17 pm
Where does it end???
Does that mean that Senior citizens will get increase as everything going up so high????? Social security benefits don’t even cover food out lone fast food.
No wonder the young have no understanding of the what the elder are striving to survive.
Since they see fit to raise wages raise our $.s we worked long and hard at wages so low and we need help
Mike Tweedy • Mar 17, 2024 at 2:10 pm
‘Bout damn time. While you’re at it, provide some sort of health care. Only then we start looking like some of the better countries that we insist are not as good as ours.
Karen • Mar 17, 2024 at 1:36 pm
Ever since Covid customer service has been lacking. Hopefully with these new increases so with their customer service.
Brenda Jones • Mar 17, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Yeah for the workers! I applaud the states making progress for minimum wage workers. It still won’t be enough, with the cost of housing & food & fuel continuing to rise, but it’s progress, none the less.
Diane • Mar 17, 2024 at 1:12 pm
This will cause businesses will get fewer customers and suffer losses, then close because meal prices are too high for fast food. So, rents are outrageous, and people are in a cluster you-know-what…. Stop strangling the middle class!
Betty • Mar 18, 2024 at 9:59 am
If the businesses get fewer customers than they close or dip into their personal profits. Without the store there are NO profits for them to keep. They continue to raise prices but do not share the wealth.
Lori Alsup • Mar 17, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Raising the minimum wage won’t help as long as everything keeps raising in price. The wage raising just raises the amount of taxes you have to pay. So it’s not going to really help.
Tony • Mar 17, 2024 at 12:28 pm
So what about us that are on disability, we need a good increase, not this 3% crap
Gina Carr • Mar 17, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Oregon’s tiered system is out of date already and needs to be updated. Growth in and around Woodburn has created a cost of living crisis. A 2 bedroom apartment is in excess of 1800.00 per month. Renter’s must make at least twice to three times that to qualify which means a commute to Portland. There is no public transportation option, the cost of that commute requires a personal vehicle, insurance etc, not to mention the environmental impact.
Freyja • Mar 17, 2024 at 12:16 pm
With how high the rent is here in Spokane, we should have the same increase to $19.97 like Seattle.
Mark • Mar 17, 2024 at 12:14 pm
It wont be an extra $1 increase. It will be much more across the board. If you want to make a good wage and work in fast food you are already way of track. This will cause employers to cut back on employees, raise all menu prices across the board and limit their menus to high margin items meaning lower quality food.
Its all bad unless you are a college kid.
Pam • Mar 17, 2024 at 11:44 am
Just what we need is for merchandise on Oregon to cost more because someone decides we need hirer wages …,which helps none if prices go up anyway
Steve • Mar 17, 2024 at 11:13 am
An “extra dollar” here and there DOES matter! Especially for people who are on a fixed income (i.e. retired). All this shows is the worthlessness of our fiat [Federal Reserve] currency. If this continues, $20 burgers and $100 per hour minimum wage, is soon to come.
Richard • Mar 18, 2024 at 3:13 pm
What are u talking about there’s places that already have $20 burgers. Most burgers at fast food places are $7 for the cheap smaller crappy ones what am I talking about all fast food burgers are crappy, pink slime for the beef. Plus some fast food places are going to start price adjusting depending on how busy they are. Digital menus can be changed any time like right before u pull up to order. Wendys already has started trying that out. 5 guys burgers and fries a bacon cheeseburger there is almost $17…. yet I don’t think their minimum wage pay is anything close to $100 per hour. Its prob more like what the actual minimum wage of like $15 an hour. Even $7 burgers and minimum wage $15 an hour would never work out to $20 burgers and $100 per hour minimum wage it would be more like $45 burgers and $100 per hour…. On top of that how does a dollar here and there help anyone on a fixed income? What part of fixed isn’t fixed? And people on a fixed income don’t get minimum wage increase in their wages. They only have to endure the extra cost everything will cost when there is a minimum wage increase. It’s nothing more then a scam. Ever heard of the slogan the more u make the more they take? It’s an easy way for them to increase tax revenue while screwing u. So again tell all on how that dollar here and there really helps
David G Elkins • Mar 17, 2024 at 10:05 am
Raising the minimum wage that high just causes inflation.
People cannot afford the fast food prices now. Businesses will clos
ore forced to replace the workers with automation. So…the $20
will be $0.00. These workers will now be future democratic voters.
Politicians buying votes have destroyed our country.
John o. • Mar 17, 2024 at 9:41 am
I will no longer eat out at the ridiculous prices you pay especially take-out!!!!
Roots • Mar 17, 2024 at 8:35 am
Tips are going to go down, down, down. I’ve stopped tipping.
Robbalee Stiles • Mar 17, 2024 at 8:10 am
The minimum wage should be 25.00 an hour minimum!!
Luke • Mar 17, 2024 at 7:56 am
It,s called the trickle up effect , you pay the employees more and then the landlord raises the rent, no win situation
Thomas zak • Mar 19, 2024 at 3:15 am
Raising minimum wages only hurts the lower paid workers in the end by raising inflation. The only way to get out from the bottom is to learn a new trade, continuing your education, or start your own business. The stupid leftist silverspoon idiots can’t magically fix your situation for you!