It is time for a raise in the minimum wage. Here are just a few reasons.
1. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 hasn’t changed since 2009. Yet prices on food, gas and utilizes have gone up.
2. In real dollars minimum wage workers makes less today than they did in 1968.
3. In no state can a minimum wage worker afford a two-bedroom unit at fair market rent working a standard 40-hour work week.
4. A person who works 40 hours a week every week of the year has a gross salary of $15,080. That is below the poverty level for a family of two.
According to the Pulitzer-prize winning economist, Paul Krugman, there is no evidence to support the argument that raising the minimum wage cost jobs. In fact “one of the best ways to aid our economic recovery is to build up the standing of all working Americans. Increasing the minimum wage will encourage the rising tide that lifts everyone.”
Delaware Senate Bill 6 would increase the minimum wage to not less than $8 per hour effective July 1, and not less than $8.75 per hour effective July 1, 2014.
Ask your legislators to vote for Senate Bill 6. It’s the right thing to do - and it’s time.
Beth Doty
Rehoboth Beach
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