2008 Woodie Awards
Increase in Federal Minimum Wage is Long Overdue
Jack Z. Smith, Knight Ridder
Issue date: 3/16/05 Section: Opinion
A higher minimum wage would help working-class families, low-paid single adults and students trying to work their way through college or save money to buy a car.
Every time that Democrats suggest a minimum-wage increase, Republicans pitch a hissy fit. The GOP hand wringers invariably claim that an increase in the floor wage would result in widespread layoffs of low-income workers, bring on a rash of small-business failures and fan a sharp rise in inflation.
How come none of these things happened after the last minimum-wage increase in 1997? Indeed, the late 1990s were marked by strong job growth and a booming stock market.
Had Kennedy's amendment passed, when fully phased in, it would have meant $4,368 in increased annual pay for a full-time, minimum-wage worker.
The increase might have meant money for badly needed car repairs, long-postponed dental work, a warm coat for winter, a computer to help a child do schoolwork or the purchase of more nutritious food at the supermarket.
It also might have meant having enough money to enroll in college classes to gain the education and skills needed for a higher-paying job.
Higher wages would give many working-class people more money to spend. That in turn helps the economy and generates more jobs.
Taxpayers who bemoan the cost of social programs to help the poor should realize that higher working-class wages reduce the need for Medicaid, food stamps and government housing subsidies.
Those members of Congress who oppose raising the minimum wage might not realize that many full-time, low-wage workers don't enjoy such benefits as health insurance, a 401(k) savings plan, an expense account or a subsidized membership in a health club. In fact, many of these workers receive little or no paid vacation.
In the wake of Congress' failure to boost the minimum wage, many states are taking action on their own. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia now have higher minimum wages than the federal minimum, and another 17 states have proposals pending to raise the minimum this year.
Every time that Democrats suggest a minimum-wage increase, Republicans pitch a hissy fit. The GOP hand wringers invariably claim that an increase in the floor wage would result in widespread layoffs of low-income workers, bring on a rash of small-business failures and fan a sharp rise in inflation.
How come none of these things happened after the last minimum-wage increase in 1997? Indeed, the late 1990s were marked by strong job growth and a booming stock market.
Had Kennedy's amendment passed, when fully phased in, it would have meant $4,368 in increased annual pay for a full-time, minimum-wage worker.
The increase might have meant money for badly needed car repairs, long-postponed dental work, a warm coat for winter, a computer to help a child do schoolwork or the purchase of more nutritious food at the supermarket.
It also might have meant having enough money to enroll in college classes to gain the education and skills needed for a higher-paying job.
Higher wages would give many working-class people more money to spend. That in turn helps the economy and generates more jobs.
Taxpayers who bemoan the cost of social programs to help the poor should realize that higher working-class wages reduce the need for Medicaid, food stamps and government housing subsidies.
Those members of Congress who oppose raising the minimum wage might not realize that many full-time, low-wage workers don't enjoy such benefits as health insurance, a 401(k) savings plan, an expense account or a subsidized membership in a health club. In fact, many of these workers receive little or no paid vacation.
In the wake of Congress' failure to boost the minimum wage, many states are taking action on their own. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia now have higher minimum wages than the federal minimum, and another 17 states have proposals pending to raise the minimum this year.