Oregon Lawmakers Approve Landmark Minimum Wage Increase

Oregon lawmakers have approved landmark legislation that propels the state’s minimum wage for all workers to the highest rank in the U.S., and does so through an unparalleled tiered system based on geography

In this photo taken Monday, July 27, 2015, Arturo Ramirez, left, and other workers crowd the kitchen at an Ivar's restaurant in Seattle. AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

SALEM, Ore.—Oregon lawmakers have approved landmark legislation that propels the state’s minimum wage for all workers to the highest rank in the U.S., and does so through an unparalleled tiered system based on geography.

The state House of Representatives on Thursday passed Senate Bill 1532, which now heads to Democratic Gov. Kate Brown, who said in a statement she will sign it into law.

“I started this conversation last fall, bringing stakeholders together to craft a workable proposal; one that gives working families the much-needed wage boost they need, and addresses challenges for businesses and rural economies presented by the two impending ballot measures,” Brown said.

Oregon's new plan imposes a series of gradual increases over six years