Participants attend a rally for increasing the minimum wage at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. (Anna Reed/Statesman-Journal via AP)

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- The Oregon Senate has approved a measure that would incrementally increase the state's minimum wage over the next six years.

Democrats pushed the bill through on a 16-12 vote Thursday, saying it would help Portland residents handle growing costs of living without hurting businesses in rural areas.

The Oregonian reports Senate Bill 1532 passed after a floor debate that lasted six hours.

Democratic Sen. Betsy Johnson, of Scappoose, voted no with Republicans.

The proposal introduced by Democratic Sen. Michael Dembrow, of Portland, would begin raising the current $9.25 an hour minimum in July.

Gradual increases would take place annually through 2022, when Portland's rate would be set at $14.75 an hour, other urban counties at $13.50 and rural counties at $12.50.

The measure heads next to the House for consideration.