Kotek cites group’s figures in pegging minimum wage

House Speaker Tina Kotek

A group of Portland business leaders working quietly to shape the debate over an Oregon minimum wage hike has already had an impact.

Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, cited research by the North Star Civic Foundation while explaining this week why Oregon should increase the minimum wage to $13.50 an hour. The state's minimum wage is currently the second highest in the nation, at $9.25 an hour. Another group is already gathering signatures to get a measure on the November ballot that would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.