PORTLAND — The City Council voted narrowly Monday night to advance a proposal to voters that would increase the city’s minimum wage to $19 per hour by 2028.

After extensive discussion, the council passed the measure on a 5-4 vote. Councilors Sarah Michniewicz, Pious Ali, Ben Grant and Mayor Mark Dion voted against the proposal.

If voters approve the measure in November, the minimum wage would increase from $15.50 to $16.75 per hour on Jan. 1, 2026, then to $17.75 in 2027, and then to $19 per hour in 2028, giving Portland one of the highest minimum wages in the country.

After that, the wage would go up by the same amount as the annual cost-of-living increase.

Supporters of the proposal argued Monday that wages haven’t kept pace while the cost of living in Portland has skyrocketed. Oppon

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