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Tuesday, December 31, 2013 - A-List on Americanism by Rich Valdes

NEW YORK, December 30, 2013 — Thirteen states across the countryhave approved increases to their minimum wage. The highest new wageis in the city of SeaTac in Washington State, which implements their newwage of $15 per hour on January 1, 2014. Their current minimum wage is$9.32.

Of the 13 states, only Oregon, Washington, and California will be abovethe $9.00 per hour threshold that President Obama advocated for. Whileincreases do go into effect tomorrow in most states, consensus for raisingstate minimum wages remains elusive and contentious.

SEE RELATED: SeaTac airport minimum wage is not a living wage;what it really costs

In New Jersey, for example, the increase was voted on by the people viaa ballot initiative in last month’s election. However, industry and policyexperts have differing opinions on how it will affect the state overall. Somecontend that forcing employers to shell out more money on labor costswithout any earning additional revenue from their businesses will cause

New $15 minimum wage for some, but controversycontinues

Photo: Associated Press

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business owners to cut back on employee hours, slow hiring, and in somecases cause employers to let people go, ultimately having a negativeimpact on the economy.

Others suggest that more employees earning more money will spendmore money, having a positive impact on local economies that will lead tomore jobs. Special interest groups advocating for the wage hike werebusy prior to the election claiming that poverty in New Jersey — one ofthe nation’s wealthiest states — was on the rise. Business groups andtrade associations pointed out that a 14 per cent increase in expenseswithout a 14 per cent increase in revenue or profits would have to comefrom somewhere, again referring to cuts in employees’ hours and reducedfuture job growth.

Mr. Jose Arango, Director of Economic Development for the City of JerseyCity, says of the minimum wage increase, “We have to respect the will ofvoters, and we have to be careful not to jeopardize opportunities for newjobs.”

Arango continues, “Oil prices are down and we still don’t see anymeaningful improvement in our national economy. Combine that withObamacare which was supposed to help 80 million uninsured Americansand now has 300 million Americans in crisis because it’s been such adisaster. This causes a loss of confidence in government; increasing theminimum wage has potential to be just as damaging if we think with ourhearts instead of thinking realistically with our hearts and our minds.Because, If we’re not careful, we can end up with reincarnation of HugoChavez like they did for Mayor in New York City.”

SEE RELATED: Minimum wage and moral capitalism: Is AmericaScrooged?

Pastry chef Maria Nitti, owner of “Isabella’s Creation,” a boutique bakery in Brooklyn New York, says,“As a small business owner it’s extremely difficult to hear about this; I’m not hiring any new people. Icurrently have part-time help and interns when needed throughout the year, but this increase in state’sminimum wage definitely wasn’t made with small business owners in mind.”

She adds, “I’m here trying to live my dream and I’m being forced to comply with increases labor costsand health insurance costs if I hire fulltime, without increased income for my business worries me and itmakes me think ‘will I eventually have to shut my doors because of this?’”

Whether increases to states’ minimum wages will help or hurt the economy remains to be seen. Untilthen, Americans in 13 states will participate in a large-scale economics experiment.

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New $15 minimumwage for some, butcontroversycontinues

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12/4/2014 New $15 minimum wage for some, but controversy continues | Washington Times Communities

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Guest101 • a year ago

Nobody is guaranteed to make living with one job. That is simply laughably absurd.Take some damn responsibility for yourself, don't have children you can't afford, don'tbuy garbage made overseas (including Apple you dimwits), live within your means.Shocking concept that is lost on this generation

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• Reply •

Angel • a year ago

whats the point of raising the minimum wage when everything will go up and back tosquare one....

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• Reply •

h0lygh0st • a year ago

Raising minimum wage can raise the cost of American products and services that noware still struggling to compete in the world market. This can ruin our future exports andcan cause the loss of millions of American jobs. In other words, raising minimum wage= losing your jobs.

Would you rather have a job that supports your family by not supporting the raise ofminimum wage, or would you rather support raising it and lose your source oflivelihood eventually ? of course, you know what is the best answer for the security ofyour job...

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