No Minimum Wage Increase for Portland…. Yet.
After discussing a minimum wage increase in Portland last night, Portland’s Financial Committee chose not to vote on that matter. A vote will be put off until sometime next year, after there has been an economic impact study. Mayor Brennan’s current proposal calls for increasing the minimum wage to $10.68 per hour within three years. Perhaps the city council should read Patrick Marvin’s argument against raising the minimum wage.
Google Shuts Down Google News in Spain
In reaction to a punitive new tax, Google will no longer be offering Google News in Spain. They will also not link to Spanish publications in the future. While it’s difficult to say how the Spanish people/government react to the move, a similar showdown in Germany may prove enlightening.
Unknown Object Raises Suspicions
On Thursday, the Portland Police Department destroyed a suspicious object; possibly a pipe bomb. The object was discovered in Portland apartment by a contractor, who brought it to the police. The police were able to disable the device.
$1.1 Trillion Spending Bill Barely Passes House
Despite backlash, GOP leadership was able to pass a $1.1 trillion appropriations bill to fund the government. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi led liberal opposition to the bill, but lobbying from the White House convinced enough Democrats to join Republicans in passing the bill. The aptly nicknamed Cromnibus bill will now go to the Senate, where a vote may not occur until Monday.