The six year lead-in drew fire from backers of a proposed ballot measure that would set the minimum wage at $15 by 2019. Justin Norton-Kertson, an organizer for 15 Now Oregon, said the long wait would leave workers hanging as the cost of living continues to swell.
Army Sgt. Justin Norton, 21, who grew up in Rainier, died in June 2006. His death reverberated through this close-knit community of 1,700. He was the son of Jeff Norton, a Thurston County sheriff's deputy, and stepson of Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock.