Daniel Bergeron, a recently retired nurse, lives in Portland.
The referendum to increase Portland’s minimum wage raises many concerns for me. My first thought was that it will be very detrimental to Portland’s small businesses and anyone thinking of doing business here.
The referendum if passed, will require an employer to provide a premium wage ($19/hour over two years) for an entry-level position. Historically, starting salaries/wages were for new, inexperienced employees. Those wages were not expected to be the peak salary, but a point from which to start.
Maybe I was lucky, but I received wage increases in every job I have had in the last 50 years. As I gained new skills and education, the wages followed suit. I never felt that my entry salary in any of my jobs was the terminus of my salary history.
Over time, inflationary forces have made the cost of living prohibitive for many citizens, including Portland workers. A previous referendum to address wages is now coming to fruition, which will result in reaching its target of $17 per hour in January 2026.
It is a great achievement for Portland’s workers and a testament to Portland voters’ support for improving workers’ lives. The post-pandemic changes in workers’ rights and salaries continue to improve.
The pandemic and ongoing inflation have significantly affected Portland’s small businesses. There are several vacant storefronts in the downtown area and in our neighborhood districts. It’s a clear signal that small businesses are struggling to survive in Portland.
As a result, foot traffic, which is vital to a vibrant downtown and neighborhood, has declined, leading to daily encampments and additional factors that deter both local and visitor traffic.
Perhaps other municipal options for affordability should be pursued. Minimum wage increases are only one instrument in response to the disparity. Going back to Portland businesses and asking them to take another one “for the team” is easy, but short-sighted.
Surely our city’s leaders can find other ways of helping lower wage earners. Examples of non-monetary support for city workers might include METRO passes and employee parking discounts.
Finally, we must acknowledge the evolving landscape that currently presents new challenges and opportunities. Municipal funding is in peril as Portland’s funds are threatened by state budget cuts and a presidential administration that ties funding to compliance with ever emerging national policies. This includes the tariffs, which seem to change day to day.
Personal and business finances will not be spared the tariffs, which can be catastrophic in some cases. These are headwinds we will all be facing. For this reason, I cannot support the minimum wage referendum. It is short-sighted to propose this to our citizens, when there are numerous questions on our horizon.