MA: Mideast Labor Code Statute Revision (Statute)

[Junkie]

Only the wage was increased

I agree.  The only thing that happened was a raise in the min. wage.  I wholeheartedly support this.

[Junkie]

Aye

[Junkie]

I am going to play dumb new guy here, but what is the federal min. wage?  While the regional would not be able to be lower, we could always make ours higher.  I only ask, because that would determine whether or not our statute would be legal.   Whether we want a higher one is an economic discussion we can have, but I am simply trying to figure out the issue raised by Badger before voting on the new amendment.

[Junkie]

I am going to play dumb new guy here, but what is the federal min. wage?  While the regional would not be able to be lower, we could always make ours higher.  I only ask, because that would determine whether or not our statute would be legal.   Whether we want a higher one is an economic discussion we can have, but I am simply trying to figure out the issue raised by Badger before voting on the new amendment.

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=128565.msg2737081#msg2737081

Don't know how I did not see that post of yours.  I can be an idiot.

[Junkie]

I am going to play dumb new guy here, but what is the federal min. wage?  While the regional would not be able to be lower, we could always make ours higher.  I only ask, because that would determine whether or not our statute would be legal.   Whether we want a higher one is an economic discussion we can have, but I am simply trying to figure out the issue raised by Badger before voting on the new amendment.

Well considering tmth even originially had his proposal at pretty much the national wage (before we found out we had this national wage) I think passing this amendment would be in our best interest, which is why I proposed it. This national wage is extremely high, to make it even higher would kill business start ups. This is very just compensation, I will be opposed anything one cent higher in order to save and create jobs in our region with unemployment almost at 9%.

My statement was not meant to say that I am in favor an increase of the federal min. wage, I just included that statement to allow for someone of a different opinion to offer arguments that I had not considered. 

Here is my full opinion.  I agree with the Governor in raising and I also agree that federal level is awful high.  It is about $1 higher than my personal max, but that is irrelevant as the feds have spoken.  Raising ours higher would only encourage businesses to go to other regions.

Of course I could have avoided this by fully reading Badger's post.  Thus I am in favor of the amendment and then the bill as a whole.

[Junkie]

Aye

[Junkie]

What value would we like?

Why not have it remain at whatever the last federal value was before the repeal?

[Junkie]

So, the consensus is $6.25 adjusted to inflation?

Yes, which was the raise we started with I think.

[Junkie]

Aye

[Junkie]

Our economy is suffering due to lack of consumer consumption. Millions of people would have their consumer consumption abilities raised by this bill either directly or indirectly (i.e. companies that already pay a bit over $8.50/hr, but would raise wages to avoid labor competition with minimum wage jobs).

Yep, nothing helps economic production like weakening the purchasing power of millions of people. Look at countries like Guatemala. A real middle class paradise thanks to a near nonexistent minimum wage.

Lord, you guys desperately need a progressive in the Assembly.

While I understand your point, that only comes into effect if the Feds do away with their min. wage. 

[Junkie]

In response to your concerns Badger, there are few things in defense of this Statute I would like you to consider:

1.) When originally drafted, this statute raised the minimum wage in the Mideast region that was originally on the books and eliminated the requirement that a worker get through 500 hours before getting to a higher min. wage.  I believe that we both agree on the benefits of that.

2.) When you pointed out that there is a Federal min. wage (which I will again admit I stupidly missed your post earlier) the statute was modified to place the Mideast region in line with the Federal government.  You were right and we fixed the statute.

3.) It was pointed out (I think by Inks, but I could be wrong) that the new statute created an issue where, if the Federal statute were repealed, the Mideast would then have no min. wage.  For that reason, another amendment was installed to establish a min. wage, in case, no matter how slim the possibility, that there existed a min. wage for Mideast workers.


4.) This amendment places the min. wage higher than originally existed in the Mideast and also adjusts it for inflation, ensuring that there will be increases in the min. wage (which by the way is a huge change over Wisconsin among others that does not increase min. wage to account for inflation)

5.)  While you might not like the amount, it is an attempt to come up with a number that is fari to workers (taking into account inflation) and fair to businesses (since if the Fed. min. wage goes away, we have no idea what it will be in other states).

All of these issues are why I supported it.  I hope you can see the benefits of this statute and can consider that quite frankly, it is not at all "right wing."  Any other questions, I am more than willing to answer and work on addressing concerns.

[Junkie]

aye