Congress approves federal minimum wage increase, Bush to sign

[OrangeEmpire]

Congress Approves Minimum Wage Hike
Bush Plans to Sign $2.10 Increase, to Come Over 2 Years

By Lori Montgomery
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 25, 2007; Page D01

With little fanfare, Congress yesterday approved the first increase in the federal minimum wage in nearly a decade, voting to boost wages for America's lowest-paid workers from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over the next two years.

The bill, which a spokesman for President Bush said he would sign, would end the longest stretch without an increase in the federal minimum wage since it was established in 1938. It would also mark a victory for congressional Democrats, becoming the first item to be enacted from an eight-point agenda that House leaders vowed to pursue during their first 100 hours in power.

The wage hike was largely ignored, however, during an acrimonious debate over an emergency spending bill for the Iraq war, to which it was attached. The tactic of attaching it to a must-pass bill deflected attention from an issue Democrats hammered at effectively during last year's election. But it ensured that the wage increase and $4.8 billion in corresponding business tax breaks would take effect despite objections from the White House and other Republicans who wanted a larger package of business incentives.

More here.

Thoughts?

 

[vader]

I'm glad I don't make minimum wage.

 

[BigPapaVol]

It's pure genius. All those making minimum wage will have more disposable income.....no wait, everything else will become more expensive and they'll still be broke.

Min wage hikes are nothing more than vote grabbing and gov't prescribed inflation.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

You know if we actually had a minimum wage that went with inflation, it would be $3.39/hr??

The Inflation Calculator

Take the federal minimum wage in 1938 which was $.25 then put in the years, 1938 start and 2006 for finish. That right there blew my mind.

 

[utvolpj]

I'm glad I don't make minimum wage.

Very few besides teenagers actually make min wage either. That's why this bill means next to nothing except for Dems to brag how they are helping the poor.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

The increase in the minimum wage will pretty much assure no immigration reform that includes a citizenship track.

 

[truefan]

Very few besides teenagers actually make min wage either. That's why this bill means next to nothing except for Dems to brag how they are helping the poor.

You need to research a little better before you pop off about something you obviously know nothing about. There are many jobs out there starting a minimum wage level. Many get raises after 90 days so this is a higher starting point.

 

[utvolpj]

You need to research a little better before you pop off about something you obviously know nothing about. There are many jobs out there starting a minimum wage level. Many get raises after 90 days so this is a higher starting point.

Please educate me oh wise one. IIRC there is only about 10% of the workforce making minimum wage. Half of those are under 25yo and are not the head of household.

There are very few full-time jobs starting at min wage. You won't even get it at a fast-food joint.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

The increase in the minimum wage will pretty much assure no immigration reform that includes a citizenship track.

told you so