[Oregon] Minimum Wage Not Enough To Fight Poverty

from KOBI

Written by Laryl Noble

Living wages in Oregon are not meeting the basic needs of families says an advocacy group located in the Rogue Valley.

The findings in the 2006 Northwest Job Gap Study show Oregon’s living wages are at an all time low. We're experiencing it nationwide.

“ We've got to change policies, change minds, and priorities so we have a way to build the middle class again instead of letting it fall apart” says Oregon State Representative Peter Buckley.

The report also shows that in the current economy less than a third of existing jobs pay a living wage for a single parent with two children.

The advocacy group also found that minority families are suffering the most from living wage gaps.

Despite being the largest non-white ethnic group in the state, only 24 percent of Latino households make enough to survive.

The advocates agreed that the idea of a living wage estimated to be $11.38 for a single adult or 18.48 per hour for one adult & child as opposed to a minimum wage of $7.50 per hour would keep more people out of poverty.