71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
 LC 1863
 
                    House Joint Resolution 32
 
Sponsored by Representative ROSENBAUM; Senator SHIELDS
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Declares legislative goal of having Department of Human
Services provide sufficient funds to contracting or
subcontracting entities so that they can provide living wage to
their employees by 2004.
 
                        JOINT RESOLUTION
  Whereas a day's work deserves a fair day's pay; and
  Whereas no person working full-time to support a family should
live in poverty; and
  Whereas taxpayer dollars should encourage the creation of jobs
that not only support families but also provide health care
benefits; and
  Whereas the costs of food, housing, child care and
transportation make it increasingly difficult for low-wage
workers to make ends meet; and
  Whereas more workers are finding their wages falling below the
poverty level; and
  Whereas living wage campaigns throughout the United States are
resulting in legislation that lifts above the poverty level the
pay for employees of entities receiving tax dollars; and
  Whereas a living wage will ensure social and economic benefits
for the community as a whole and a supportive environment for
employers who try to maintain fair wages; and
  Whereas a living wage will decrease the need for public
assistance programs; and
  Whereas a living wage will result in lower turnover rates that
will reduce the costs of recruitment, hiring and training and
increase the quality and continuity of job performance; and
  Whereas a living wage will provide entities contracting with
the Department of Human Services with conscientious workers; and
  Whereas a living wage will increase incentives among low-wage
workers to work and gain the experience and skills demanded in
the job market; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  That we, the members of the Seventy-first Legislative Assembly,
establish the goal of having the Department of Human Services
provide sufficient funds to entities that contract or subcontract
with the department so that the entities can provide a living
wage to their employees by 2004.
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