http://www.smartmoney.com/theproshop/index...?story=20060629

Minimum wage in CT has been over $7 for a while now and as far as I can tell it has not hurt any businesses. In fact, most small businesses (often used as an excuse in these discussions) pay their employees more than minimum wage. It's the large businesses (see McDonald's, etc) that tend to pay minimum wage.

McDonald's restaurants are usually franchises - they're not owned by the corporate offices. They are, in effect, small businesses. It's not as if the owners of those franchises have access to the deep pockets that the corporation has.

In theory I disagree with it. However, since we have one I wouldnt have much of a problem with periodic sensible increases.

My own experience and thought is that it's almost a non-issue(in either direcction). I made minimum wage when I was 14 and never since. I honestly dont know any adults or any jobs other than service jobs for teenagers ( that also pay tips) that only pay minimum wage. I have worked in low paying hourly jobs and know many people who have, though even low paying jobs tend to pay more than minimum wage as required by the markt conditions ( even most crappy jobs have to pay $6-7 in $5.15 minimum land to actually hire people). Though I am OPEN to hearing differing experiences.

I HAVE known people who actually had their pay REDUCED by a minimum wage increase. For example I had a couple of friends who were making slightly more than minimum wage before the last increase. They ended up making minimum wage and not getting any raises when they most likely would have. IMO almost everyone who makes a little bit more than minimum wage and does not also get a comparable raise effectively gets a pay cut ( especially when you consider a forced raise, if applicable, would increase other employer contributions and the cost of goods). Ideally ( though I acknowledge not always the case) minimum wage jobs are training , for teenagers or others who dont need the money badly, as stepping stone ( the job where I made minimum wage at 14 I got many raises since I proved to be a hardworker and stuck with it.. I don't expect low-skill jobs with high turnover to result in may raises),etc. You gotta start somewhere.

no

yes

Just another topic that is discussed...or brought up during election cycles...especially tight races... etc..

Either way, whether its $5 or $7 an hour...both are hard to make ends meet...muchless live on...

That's true, as they aren't meant to.

This should really be posted on politicsfirst

Thats true.....and I agree.... Just cringe when this is brought into the conversation when the consideration to raise it comes up in Washington....

I was say something else.....but I am going to keep my mouth shut and not make this poltical.....

In any event...I know HS kids working at some fast food places here in the PHX area making MORE...like a couple of bucks more then the current wage....and they think they are in heaven...

You are correct...

I would rather see parents be informed about EIC and how they can request it to be included in their paychecks. When I did taxes, most the lower income families that came in had no idea they could fill out a form and get a portion included in their paychecks. I started printing a bunch of the forms and on my own time) any person who qualified, I asked them if they'd like to see about getting some added to their paychecks. Add in advance EIC and it might be just enough to make a difference for a family. But I feel there is not enough done to let people know about getting advance payments.

Had a neighbor a few years back who was on disability but only got the minimum amount. She had 2 kids and even w/ both kids getting a check as well, she was so broke she had no way out of public housing. At that time, it wasn't a safe place there but is much better now. We lived there while going to college and had a police shootout in front of our building, a bullet even came through the bedroom my kids were usually in. But when I heard the sirens and saw the cops outside I grabbed my boys (toddler and infant) and hid in my room with them, keeping as low on the ground as possible. The bullet that came through their window ended up in the crib . Anyways, that single mom lived next to us and she wasn't eligible for EIC because she had no income, just disability. A local group opened up some places where even severely disabled people could get jobs. She was wheelchair bound and only had use of one arm so very difficult for her to work. The local group got her a job working a switchboard with a hands-free headset and all she had to do was push buttons to direct calls. They scheduled her enough hours to make a difference but it was not enough to cut her disability checks down. First year she got the EIC, they were able to get a handicap van (oldest was a teen) and her DD was able to finally drive her mom places, instead of having to call for taxi (rural area - no buses). After that year, she got the EIC added to her pay and they moved out of public housing when her oldest DD went to college, they got a real apt and her DD got scholarships and stuff. Her & her mom now own a property together w/ DD family having the house but her mom has her own apt, they converted the detached garage. EIC made a difference for them because until they had a way to get the mom around (besides taxi) the family was really stuck in where they could go, so the kids had little hope for college. If I remember right, the DD is a vet and the son is a dr researching spinal cord injuries, he hopes to find a way to help people like his mom lead a life without having to rely on other people. And EIC is what made the difference for them, not minimum wage

BOOGERS

"IF" MINIMUM WAGE WENT UP $2.10

WOULD I GET A RAISE OF $2.10/HOUR???

NO!!!

WOULD I EVEN GET THE $0.10/HOUR PART???

NO!!!

MINIMUM WAGE (LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY) WAS NEVER INTENDED ON BEING A "LIVING WAGE"

boogers?

Yes, if for no other reason inflation.

boogers help with inflation?

EVERYTHING CAN BE CALLED POLITICAL

EVEN BOOGERS

You know what the "RACE CARD" is I assume.....

(some mention that out on the news)

PEOPLE PULL OUT THE "POLITICS CARD" AT THE DROP OF A HAT

All I know is if I posted what I REALLY wanted to about my opinions on the Minimum Wage Law... I can guarantee you this thread would be closed shortly thereafter.

All you have to do is read the article and it states who the drunken lech of a Senator is that is proposing the hike and you get the idea...

OHHH if it is the Drunk lech Senator then I vote no on helping poor people just starting out, in fact I vote for a pay cut. If inflation is 3%, we should take away 3%. That'll show that drunken lech of a Senator.

Minimum Wage doesn't help poor people. It doesn't help anyone...except the politicians who promote it (so they can get re-elected).

GEORGE............. I MUST ADMIT THAT I AGREE WITH THE ABOVE STATEMENT...........

Wrong. With gas at $3.00 a gallon, milk at almost $4.00 a gal. Most people who make minimum wage are only part time. for the sake of argument we'll say 32 hours. $32 dollars doesn't help the poor. What do you have against poor people, would you rather they be on welfare?

I didnt take it that way

I agree. WIthout letting this get political, I think that people are trying to make the minimum wage livable. It was never mant that way, social security either. Even at $7 something an hour it's not possible to raise a child on. Maybe to live by yourself but certainly not to raise someone else on. College is practiaccly free for those who are not 'privileged'

Well, sure....I could live on $7hr...but I would have to live in a tent and eat pork and beans everyday....

I think they should raise it.

Only 15% of minimum-wage earners are trying to support a family.
So 85% of earners do not fall into that category.

That changes everything.

raise it

George, not saying you are wrong...or right for that matter....but where did you get these numbers?

even at $7 it is pathetically low. and yes I know the economics of it. in the long run it can hurt people living in poverty. but, as Keynes so thoughtfully pointed out, in the long run we're all dead...

I'd rather see more incentives for low income folks to get an education or training that would enable them to get a higher paying job.

OFF THE STORY!!!!!

ABOUT 1/2 DOWN THE PAGE...

Never happen, Hege. It's far too practical.

I would be for no minimum wage and letting the free market decide wages.

But if they are going to set a minimum wage, at least make it something reasonable that a person could make a decent living off.

I disagree with your first statement.

I agree with your second.

If you'd like to discuss the reasons, then we should all jump over to politicsfirst.

Too many people have learned how to milk the system. Why would they want to work for a living?

fat cat CEOs?

No the people that get to BUY STEAKS and SUCH with their "FOOD CARD"

(like $800)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Dude!!! If you are buying milk at $4 a gallon, you are getting screwed.

I pay $1.88, somtimes cheaper for a gallon of milk.

According to your argument above they are making $1.00 an hour.

In any case, I'd argue that a job at $5 an hour beats no job at $100 an hour.

ETA:

I have an idea...

Since so many people think that a minimum wage will help end poverty, why don't we just mandate a worldwide minimum wage?? What's the right amount?
$10 an hour? Why not $50 an hour? Why not $100 an hour? Why not $1000 an hour??

Minimum wage is stupid...

Perhaps I'm being idealistic, but I'd like to live in a world where a person who works hard for a living, no matter the job, can live on the money they earn.

Perhaps that's just too much to ask of a society that mostly lives well.

A gallon of the most expensive milk in the store is only like $2.99 around here... so if you are paying $4/gal. you are getting ripped off!

Thats a dollar "more", $32 extra a week given a 32 hour week. Thought you could figure that out, Guess I was wrong.

Anyway the purpose of the minimum wage was not to "stop poverty" as you stated in your very own special mellow-dramatic way. But to set a minimum limit on what employers could pay employees to keep up with the devaluing dollar. In other words if you allowed employers to pay people without forcing a cost of living increase, eventually they would be working for free (slavery). What was the minimum wage in 1970? something like a $1.10- $1.15? $1.15 given a 32 hour week, Can you imagine making $36.80 a week in 2006. That just stupidity.

Given that the Federal Debt has DOUBLED in the past 5 years and the dollars value has been cut in half in the last five years. A raise in the minimum wage is long past due. Don't forget this only helps people who are at least somewhat gainfully employed.

Dammit. Most people here who know me know where I would probably stand on this. But it's just gotten too political, so I can't comment, nor can I let the thread live either. Sorry.