THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016
Business & Ag
Local businesses speak out
about minimum wage hike
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
A sample of local
business owners and
operators expressed their
opinions recently, regard-
ing the potential effects
of controversial Senate
Bill 1532, which declares
an emergency, and raises
State minimum wages via
a three-tiered, statewide/
urban/rural system, begin-
ning on July 1 of this year.
The bill was passed by the
Senate on Thursday, Febru-
ary 11, and a week later, by
the House, on February 18,
and, will take effect, once
signed by Governor Kate
Brown.
The bill, introduced by
the Oregon Senate on Feb-
ruary 1, amends Oregon
Revised Statutes (ORS)
653.025, the minimum
wage rate, with language
covering each fiscal year
through 2023, varying also
according to inflation rates
annually after that.
Section 1 of ORS
653.025 was amended
to include the following
rates statewide: from July
1, 2016, to June 30, 2017,
$9.75; from July 1, 2017,
to June 30, 2018, $10.25;
from July 1, 2018, to June
30, 2019, $10.75; from
July 1, 2019, to June 30,
2020, $11.25; from July
1, 2020, to June 30, 2021,
$12.00; from July 1, 2021,
to June 30, 2022, $12.75;
from July 1, 2022, to June
30, 2023, $13.50; and,
after June 30, 2023, begin-
ning July 1, a rate adjusted
annually for inflation.
Exceptions to the state-
wide rates are included in
two categories: metropoli-
tan districts, and, nonurban
counties. Metropolitan dis-
tricts include the following
rates: from July 1, 2016,
to June 30, 2017, $9.75;
from July 1, 2017, to June
30, 2018, 11.25; from July
1, 2018, to June 30, 2019,
$12.00; from July 1, 2019,
to June 30, 2020, $12.50;
from July 1, 2020, to June
30, 2021, $13.25; from
July 1, 2021, to June 30,
2022, $14.00; from July
1, 2022, to June 30, 2023,
$14.75; and, after June 30,
2023, beginning July 1,
no less than $1.25 more
than the yearly determined
minimum wage, adjusted
annually for inflation.
Nonurban counties
include the following rates:
from July 1, 2016, to June
30, 2017, $9.50; from July
1, 2017, to June 30, 2018,
$10; from July 1, 2018,
to June 30, 2019, $10.50;
from July 1, 2019, to June
30, 2020, $11.00; from
July 1, 2020, to June 30,
2021, $11.50; from July
1, 2021, to June 30, 2022,
$12.00; from July 1, 2022,
to June 30, 2023, $12.50;
and, after June 30, 2023,
beginning July 1, no less
than $1.00 per hour less
than the yearly determined
minimum wage, adjusted
annually for inflation.
The following are
considered “nonurban
counties” according to the
bill: Baker, Coos, Crook,
Curry, Douglas, Gilliam,
Grant, Harney, Jefferson,
Klamath, Lake, Malheur,
Morrow, Sherman, Uma-
tilla, Union, Wallowa, and
Wheeler counties.
Dr. Sheryl Blankenship,
co-owner of Baker Vision
Clinic, at 2150 3rd Street,
with Dr. Leslie Elms, said,
“I worry greatly for our
State, in that new busi-
nesses will not look at our
State with this coming in,
because it’s going to be
very difficult, particularly
for a new business to start
up, so that is very upset-
ting. Existing business-
es—I’ve already had some
tell me, they don’t know if
they will be able to stay in
business, with this change.
And, certainly, in my busi-
ness, we’re not at mini-
mum wage, what we pay,
but, it certainly will require
restructuring. I think
it’s going to change for
all businesses, and, what
they’re able to provide, as
a product, and, the end cost
of that product, because,
for them, the businesses
that can continue, are go-
ing to have to increase the
prices for their products.
“My concern is (indi-
rectly), looking more at
the welfare of our City, our
County, our State, and, I
don’t see anything positive
there. I think we are going
to pay for this dearly. I
wish our Governor would
look further. I understand
what they’re trying to
do—you know, get people
out of poverty—but, what
they’re going to do is,
make it difficult for every-
one.”
She said the clinic em-
ploys 18 people, with the
majority working five-day
work weeks, and a few
working four-day work
weeks.
Marilyn Logsdon, co-
owner of York’s Cov-
ered Wagon Grocery &
Sporting Goods, at 1549
Campbell Street, with
her husband, Kevin, said,
“I’m not impressed with
it. That’s going to make
everything more expen-
sive, so in fact are people
really getting a raise? Not
really, because now the
cost of living is going to go
up. That’s going to really
affect us, although most
of our (York’s) people are
getting paid more than that,
other than when they first
start. But still that’s pretty
nuts. It’s going to make
it challenging. The other
thing that bothers me, is it
was never put to a (state-
wide) vote.”
She said it’s an idea that
would possibly work better
for the western, larger cit-
ies. York’s employs nine
people part-time, she said.
Tom Kulog, co-owner
of Betty’s Books, at 1813
Main Street, with his wife,
Carolyn, said, “There is a
problem that needs to be
dealt with, but, I’m not
sure it’s the right way.”
The Kulogs employ
several people, part-time,
he said.
Human Resources
Manager Sandi Fuller, of
Marvin Wood Products, at
3665 17th Street, said, “If
it passes as it’s listed, like
we’ve been looking at, and
watching it—July 1, 2016,
it will go to $9.50—it’s in-
cremental, which is good.
It’s lower in the rural areas,
which is also good. Our
starting wage here is $13
an hour (currently), for
our new hires, so, we’re in
good shape, as far as being
in compliance, and, not
having it be a real shock to
us...I believe the majority
of companies already pay
minimum wage, and better,
so, there may not be as
much as an impact, as what
they may be hoping for ...
I’d say it’s fairly neutral
for us, at this time.”
She said that Marvin
Wood Products employs
around 150 people, mostly
full-time, some part-time,
and, temporary workers,
during the summer.
Jodie Hausotter, who co-
owns Natural Structures,
at 2005 10th Street, with
her husband, Ted, and, his
parents, Albert and Grace
Hausotter, said, “We start
(new hires) higher than
that (minimum wage).”
Ted said, “As far as
direct impact, this isn’t
a direct impact for our
company. Where it
directly impacts us is ...
competition ...We have
experienced this in the
past ... Number two (as an
example), the bottled water
that gets delivered--the
people delivering bottled
water. They have to raise
their price because of it...
The pizzas we have deliv-
ered (another example)...
It’s putting pressure on all
those wage scales...”
The Hausotters employ
61 people, Jodie said.
Tyler Brown, Manager at
Barley Brown’s Brew Pub,
at 2190 Main Street, and,
Baker City Brewing Com-
pany (Barley’s Taphouse),
at 2200 Main Street, said,
“My thoughts, in general,
are more about the Gov-
ernor (Kate Brown), and,
the legislature in Oregon.
I have zero confidence in
them, and with the bad de-
cisions, in general they’re
making.”
He cited voter-passed
Measure 91, the Control,
Regulation, and Taxation
of Marijuana and Industrial
Hemp Act, as an example.
“But, then they gave Coun-
ties that didn’t vote for it,
the option of backing out
of it ... They’re saying,
‘Hey, you guys didn’t
vote for it, and, we still
want to be friendly with
you (the Counties with a
majority in opposition),’
so, you don’t have to have
it,’ just because their bill
says so... They’re kind
of going with that same
trend, of waffling around,
saying, ‘Hey, we’re going
to do a minimum wage
bill, and, try and head off a
voter-mandated minimum
wage.’ I don’t understand
the rationale behind treat-
ing the State as no longer
one State, but, as portions
of the State (giving an
example of a fast-food
restaurant, selling items
for the same prices here,
and, paying workers the
same rates, as one would in
Portland)...”
Brown said that of the
60 employees (between
Barley Brown’s Brew
Pub, Baker City Brewing
Company, and the Sumpter
Junction, all managed by
the Browns’ company,
Windmill Enterprises,
Inc.), very few are actu-
ally paid solely minimum
wage, because tip income,
which is taxable, and
causes what an employee
is paid to be much higher
than the base wage, should
be taken into account,
one of the points Brown
stressed time and again,
with legislators.
“What I’ve told (Repre-
sentatives) Cliff Bentz, and
Ted Ferrioli in the letter I
wrote to the Governor, is
looking at that (bill) now,
if we weren’t already in
the restaurant business in
eastern Oregon, there’s
absolutely no way we
would go into it now. You
can go 70 miles. You can
cross the Idaho border,
and your business plan
is going to look entirely
different. I guess looking
forward, what we’ll see
more of, and what’s very
popular around Portland, is
the restaurants where you
walk in the door, you order
your food at a counter, and
they give you a number,
and yell out a number (as
opposed to more customer
service-oriented, sit-down
restaurants, he said). It
eliminates server jobs...
There’s no chance of (res-
taurant) prices ever going
down,” he said, stating
that an increase in costs is
ultimately passed on to the
consumer.
Stephanie Benson, co-
owner of The Little Bagel
Shop, at 1780 Main Street,
with her husband, Will,
said, “I just don’t believe
it’s going to help anybody,
because, the more money
they make, the more taxes
they’ll pay, so, it’s actu-
ally going to give them
no more take-home pay.
It’s going to affect small
business, more so, than
anything, and, that’s the
biggest detriment to most
people. Some of these
businesses are just waiting
to see what happens.” She
expressed confusion as to
why rates would be dif-
ferent across the State. “I
honestly think that Baker
City is the same price as
Portland (retail goods,
for example), so, I don’t
understand why it’s going
to get a higher minimum
wage than eastern Oregon.
I have family that lives
in the Pearl District, and,
their Safeway flier is the
same as ours—exactly. We
are paying prices the Pearl
District is paying,” she
said.
The Bensons employ
four people part-time, she
said.
Jacki Adams, owner of
The Sycamore Tree, at
2108 Main Street, said,
“I realize that the cost of
living has gone up, and, it
needs to be addressed, but,
that’s really drastic. Over-
all, I think people will see
higher prices. I also know
that it’s hard to live on ten
dollars an hour. We’ve
been established for 28
years, and, it’s not going
to be easy for us, but, for
somebody who’s already
struggling, that could be
detrimental.”
Adams said she employs
four people, part-time cur-
rently, and up to eight.
“One thing drives
another; you might be
making more money, but,
the cost of goods is going
to go up, as well. It’s kind
of a balancing act. I know
that it will be harder, as a
small business person, to
make ends meet, or, to try
to make money. It might
be discouraging for people
who are thinking about
starting a business,” she
said.
Josh Decarl, co-owner
of the Corner Brick Bar
& Grill, at 1840 Main
Street, with his wife, Debra
Fisher, said, “I think it’s
a really good idea, but,
I think it’s going to hurt
businesses in Baker, unless
local consumers are on
board, and, agree to pay
extra for eating out, and,
other things. That’s what it
comes down to.”
Decarl and Fisher em-
ploy from eight to twelve
people, part-time, he said.
— Weekly Hay Report —
Friday, February 19, 2016 — Eastern Oregon
Prices trended generally steady compared to week
ago prices. Many producers have decided to hold
on to their hay for now, in hopes for higher prices.
Many hay producers are sold out for the year.
Tons Price Range Wtd Avg
Alfalfa —Large Square Premium
300 125.00-125.00 125.00
Alfalfa —Large Square Good
40 120.00-120.00 120.00
Alfalfa / Orchard Mix —Small Square Premium
25 190.00-195.00 192.00
Timothy Grass—Small Square Premium
3 195.00-195.00 195.00
Meadow Grass—Small Square Good
2 150.00-150.00 150.00
USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov
— Cattle Market Report —
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Vale, Oregon
Cattle sold through the auction: 1160
Steer Calves
300-400# Bulk 199.00 - 226.00 Top 235.00
400-500# Bulk 198.00 - 223.00 Top 231.00
500-600# Bulk 167.00 - 194.00 Top 197.50
Heifer Calves
300-400# Bulk 191.00 - 214.00 Top 220.00
400-500# Bulk 179.00 - 193.00 Top 202.00
500-600# Bulk 147.00 - 168.00 Top 171.50
Yearling Steers
600-700# Bulk 153.00 - 175.00 Top 177.25
700-800# Bulk 127.00 - 150.00 Top 151.75
800-900# Bulk 134.00 - 141.00 Top 142.00
900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A
Yearling Heifers
600-700# Bulk 133.00 - 144.00 Top 145.00
700-800# Bulk 129.00 - 139.00 Top 142.00
800-900# Bulk 112.00 - 126.00 Top 127.50
900-1,000# Bulk 97.00 - 111.00 Top 113.00
Thin Shelly Cows 41.00 - 57.00
Butcher Cows 61.00 - 69.00
Butcher Bulls 69.00 - 81.00
Stock Cows Yng. 1275.00 - 1500.00
Younger Hfrts. N/A
Stock Cows Older. - 985.00 - 1225.00
ProducersLivestock.com
541-473-3136
— Log Price Report —
Price per 1,000 board feet: Northeast Oregon
Currently the local log market is flooded with
fire salvage logs. The log buyer for Malheur
Lumber Co. stated they have all the logs they
need under contract and are not accepting any
new purchases. BCC/LLC of La Grande has
receive so many burned fire salvage logs they
are no longer accepting logs at the La Grande
log yard. Any additional pine logs have to be
delivered to the Elgin Log yard cut in plywood
lengths and to a 8 inch top. For these pine
logs cut in plywood lengths, BCC is offering
$280.00/mbf. They are also paying $410.00/
mbf for Doug Fir & Western Larch. For White
Fir they are offing $310.00/mbf. At the Pilot
Rock Saw Mill BCC is offing $360.00/mbf for a
12 to 15 inch top, for 16 to 19 inch top $400.00/
mbf & offing $425.00/mbf for 20 inch plus top
Courtesy of Arvid Andersen,
Andersen Forestry Consulting
— Precious Metals Report —
Price per ounce, USD
Gold: $1,239.10
Silver: $15.29
Platinum: $936.85
Palladium: $488.05
Bloomberg.com
— Ag Commodities —
Corn: $364.50/bu/USD
Wheat: $451.25/bu/USD
Soybeans: $872.25/bu/USD
Oats: $187.00 bu/USD
Rough Rice: $10.66/cwt/USD
Canola: $464.70 CAD/mwt
Live Cattle: $136.15/lb./USD
Feeder Cattle: $157.95/lb./USD
Lean Hogs: $71.48/lb./USD
Bloomberg.com