With the passage of Senate Bill 1532 in the Oregon House of Representatives on Feb. 18 — a bill that would put Oregon’s base pay among the highest in the country — the University of Oregon Student Labor Action Project is hosting a free public panel to discuss the pros and cons of the minimum wage hike.

The event will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, in Room 166 Lawrence Hall. It is free and open to the public.

The state legislation differs from the platforms of movements at both ends of the political debate, from the Oregonians for Fifteen movement and Republican opposition to the bill.

The UO chapter of the Student Labor Action Project is hosting the panel discussion to educate students and the broader community on the issues surrounding the minimum wage argued from both sides of the political field. The panel will address the concept and history of minimum wage itself and what could happen if the bill is signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown, as well as simplifying the arguments for and against the hike.

The panel will feature Mary C. King, a professor of economics at Portland State University; Benjamin Hansen, a UO associate professors of economics; UO sociologist and historian Marcus Widenor; and Lonnie Douglas, an activist with the Eugene-Springfield Solidarity Network and the Fight for Fifteen movement.

After the panelists speak, there will be a chance for questions from the audience. No RSVP is required, and more information is available on the Facebook event page.

— By Nathaniel Brown, University Communications intern