When the Council returned to open session, the Mayor announced that the Council, after consulting with Corporation Counsel, is choosing to interpret the ordinance associated with Question A according to its plain language.
What this means is that we are interpreting this ordinance based on exactly what it says, and what it says quite plainly is that there will be no change to the minimum wage until January 1, 2022.
That means that hazard pay does not go into effect at this time and that the minimum wage remains at $12 until January 1, 2022 when it will go to $13 and the hazard pay will go into effect if there is a state of emergency that geographically applies to a Portland workplace.
Also, as the Mayor said, there will be clarifying language posted to the City's website this evening, so please check there for more information.
UPDATE: Below, please see the Council guidance regarding the interpretation of Question A (minimum wage) and the impact of Question F (marijuana licensing) on first round applicants.