I'd like to have a discussion about the various minimum wage initiatives that are being pursued.
For example, in Oregon there is a ballot initiative being pursued, to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2019. Seattle will move the minimum wage to $15 for larger employers by 2017. Currently our minimum wage in Oregon is $9.25/hour, higher than many other states. Info here
Minimum Wage Rates for 2015 (Updated February 25, 2015)
There are some obvious arguments. 40 hours/week at the current Oregon minimum wage ($9.25/hour) gets a full time worker $18,500/year gross. Some say a higher minimum wage would move people off public assistance, saving the taxpayer money. On the other hand, many businesses don't want to pay more, and say they will shut down or raise prices if minimum wage goes up. Some say lots of workers aren't worth even minimum wage. Others say the answer is to fire those workers and replace them with workers who are worth it.
What do you think? Should the minimum wage be higher? Why, how much? Should there be any minimum wage at all? Why not allow people to be paid $3/hour, $5/hour? Should it depend on company size, worker age, etc?