Politics & Government
Comment of the Day: "Raise the Minimum Wage — Lose Jobs"
Rep. George Miller's push to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour has sparked debate about low wage jobs and who's working for minimum rates. What do you think of a minimum wage hike?
How much is a fair minimum wage? Rep. George Miller thinks that the answer is $10.10 an hour, which would mean a $2.85 raise for all workers on the current rate.
The idea sparked a heated debate on Patch about the purpose and consequences — intended or not — of a minimum wage hike.
Commenter c5 says that a minimum wage hike would be "great for unions, many of whose wages are linked to the statutory minimum wage" and "great for those working at minimum wage jobs." However, he adds, "If you raise the cost of these jobs invariably you will get less of them. So not likely so good for those who are looking for work at this level."
Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Local business owner Anne Mobley says:
"I think it is a personal choice what you pay your employees. I pay my employee well above the minimum wage. She gets no tips as quite a few minimum wage folks in food service do. It may be a struggle for me to pay $12 an hour, but my employee is worth it and I believe earns it and needs it. But that is MY choice --not the government's dictate."
Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
But commenter Tom Lewis disagrees. He says:
"We're lucky to have George and others who care about the hardest working people... Justifying pathetically low minimum wages as “kid’s” entry level jobs and ignoring the fact that just about every non union retail sales or food service person you buy from is also at or within $2.00 of minimum is disgraceful."
What do you think are the consequences of raising the minimum wage? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.