Another reason for David Wu to be on my shit list

People earning minimum wage in Oregon would see their paychecks shrink if the House-passed minimum wage bill becomes law, according to a memo issued today by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office:

The memos — a financial analysis of the bill by CBO that was released publicly, and a legal analysis of the minimum wage language by CRS that was sent to Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. — both conclude that the measure would preempt state minimum wage laws as they apply to tip-earning workers in seven states: Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Minnesota and Nevada, plus the territory of Guam.

---Blue Oregon(08/02/06)

Wu, Walden vote to raise minimum wage and cut estate tax

Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., broke ranks with most of his party on Saturday and voted for a bill that increases the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour from $5.15 and reduces the estate tax.

House Republican leaders tied the minimum wage increase -- an issue supported by many Democrats -- into the same bill as the estate tax.

The bill passed 230-180 and heads to the Senate this week.

Last year Wu voted against a bill to permanently repeal the estate tax. On Saturday, he was one of 34 Democrats to vote for the reduction. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., also voted for the bill. Oregon Democrats Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio and Darlene Hooley all voted against the bill. Brian Baird, a southwest Washington Democrat, was the only House member to vote "present."

--Jeff Kosseff,Oregonian (7/30/06)