PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Mayor Charlie Hales called for a $15 minimum wage for city workers and contractors during his third annual State of the City address.
The Oregonian reported Hales called on other business leaders to match the $15 minimum wage.
The mayor’s address Friday before the City Club of Portland also outlined other policy proposals. Those include a $5,000 tax credit for each ex-convict hired by a local business, and a pledge to work with the county to house all homeless veterans in the city by next November.
The mayor also said he supports the effort to build 1,000 affordable apartments over the next four years.
Hales’ speech served as a de facto campaign opener — the mayor has all but formally announced his plans to seek re-election in 2016.
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