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Small Business Owners Group Endorses Minimum Wage Hike
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The statewide small business group made the announcement at a press conference in front of Elliot Bay Pizza co. in Queen Anne.
Many people think its the small business owners who are opposed to increasing the minimum wage said Patrick Kylen, owner of Elliot Bay Pizza and a member of the group. "But I don't know a single one who does," he said. Kylen started Elliot Bay Pizza co. 2 1/2 years ago.
"The Bottom line is that this is a moral issue. Its wrong to have someone work for you and not pay them enough to live on," he said.
At $4.90, Washington has the lowest minimum wage on the West Coast. California's is $5.75. Oregon's is $6 and will be $6.50 in 1999.
Passage of I-688 will raise the Washington State Minimum wage to $5.70 on January 1, 1999; $6.50 on January 1, 2000, and adjust it for inflation every year after that.
Most people making minimum wage are fast food workers or movie theater workers, said Krishna Fells, Executive Director of WASBO. She warned there would be a media blitz from business interests opposing I-688 in the weeks before the election.
Caption: the Washington Small Business Owners Association has endorsed raising the state minimum wage. Above, Krishna Fells and Patrick Kylen in front of Kylen's business, Elliot Bay Pizza Co.
Reader Comments
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| Randy | Nov 27, 2002 | Holly Springs, NC 27540 | small business owner |
| Rather than pushing minimum wage uptp $8.00 an hour ... Let me present a solution that can help a lot more people earn a better income rather than targeting JUST lower incomes. My name is Randy Ferrantino (age: 44) - I am co-owner of a very small business in North Carolina, with in the area of commercial services. I see where minimum wage could possibly be raising the lower income people to a middle income bracket. Although, it does not seem to be quite fair for everyone! What happens to the person who earns $8.00 an hour now? He/She gets lost on the bottom of the income pile since a minimum wage increase will not increase HIS/HER wages also. Here is a solution that helps in many way! It helps any employee gain an easier way to increased wages. It helps defer the initial expenses of added wages for business owns. It increases the productivity of employees buy creating an incentive for them to accomplish more in their field of employment. It generates a more tax revenue for the government. Before I attempt to explain this list - please note that this is a multiple win situation! Many people win instead of a select few! You are probably thinking that this is too good to be true - however, it offers an interesting flair that is really workable! THIS IS MY IDEA! Allow employers to receive an actual REBATE (cashable) CHECK for the amount of $500.00 per employee to raise anyone's wage $1.00 an hour (which is increase in income of $2080.00 per year at 40 hours per week). That $500.00 is less than 25% of the increased revenue. However, within a few years of substantial raises - it could even create a better cash flow in social security revenues for retiree's. Here is where it can really gain momentum - let employers do this every fiscal quarter - for every employee! You see - here in the Raleigh area of North Carolina - even McDonalds does NOT hire at minimum wage! $8.00 an hour will not help them much! I personally employ part time - temporary help - I can not afford more - and I pay at $12.00 an hour because that is the price that allows me to gain workers who want to really put a good foot forward and do a job fairly well. Fact is that this voucher idea wouldn't even help my business. Personally, it seems as though it may be a good time for new, fresh, ideas that can assist this economy into getting better stimulation through a positive rewards system that helps a lot more people. As it appears; this looks as though it is a Win - Win - Win - Win and then some situation! Please - if there are any holes in this idea that are overlooked - let me know! Anyway, thank you for your kindness in spending your time to read this idea. I, like most Americans just try to find ways where more folks can get an extra boost in life without hurting anyone else! | |||
