MINIMUM WAGE

Seniors CAN call for action by congress to raise the minimum wage by $0.59 immediately and by $0.59 for each of the next two years. This would raise the federal minimum wage to $9.00 an hour as recommended by President Obama to a level already reached or being approached by many states.

These incremental raises would help many families out of poverty but would have minimal impact on employment or costs.

Do not index the minimum wage at this time. When it reaches $9.00, re-visit the matter to consider raising the minimum wage to a living wage and indexing it for the future.

Though we support raising the minimum wage, we realize that any increase will only modestly assist individuals and families. However, it is the right thing to do to promote greater economic justice.

– Norman Gottlieb, Seniors CAN