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| Above is a map provided by the U,S, Department of Labor that shows what the minimum wage is in various states. |
There has been a lot of debate recently over President Obama
making an executive order that requires all new federally contracted companies
to pay their employees a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour. He announced it in
January 2014 at the annual State of the Union Address.
Much of
the controversy has come because there is now debate and discussion as to if
the minimum wage needs to be raised nationally to help people meet their basic
needs. Those in favor of the raise say that it would provide consumers with
more money which would allow them to purchase more and increase the growth rate
of the U.S. and the global economy.
The
Washington D.C. council has unanimously endorsed raising the districts minimum
wage to $11.50 an hour. If this new minimum wage is approved in the final round
of voting D.C. will have the highest minimum wage in the United States.
Opponents
of the minimum wage raise say that the wage increase could lead to large
inflation and would hurt small business owners the most. They say that small
business owners will have to lay off workers to compensate for the higher wages
they require, and that this will push the unemployment rate up.
The one
aspect of the minimum wage increase that both its’ Democratic supporters and
Republican opponents agree on is that they believe that the increase is popular
with the majority of Americans. Democrats are even adding it to their party
platform for the next upcoming elections.
If you
support or oppose the minimum wage raise contacting your local representative
is the best thing you can do to have influence over if it goes into effect or
not. You can write a letter, send an e-mail, visit in person, or call your
local Congressional representative to show your support or opposition to the
wage increase.
Below is a link that will tell you who your local representative is and give you more information on the debate over raising the minimum wage.
This is most certainly a very heated subject right now. I feel like at this point in time I have heard every side of the story there is to hear. The ones of want to have minimum wage raised because it's nearly impossible to live a respectable life on the current wages, and then those who are concerned/oppose it because of reasons varying from increased inflation, unemployment, and one of the stickier ones is that if they raise minimum wage workers wages, that they should proportionately raise those who currently make just above minimum wage.
ReplyDeleteWhile there are so many different views and opinions, it will be interesting to see how this one plays out. I do not envy those in Washington right now who have to make this decision with so many scrutinizing eyes on them... but then again, that's their job!