Hillary's Plan for Minimum Wage

[SkinsKY]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/5/10/145432/882

Originally Posted by Hillary Clinton

SEC. 2. MINIMUM WAGE.

• 
  (a) In General- Section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:

• • 
    `(1)(A) except as otherwise provided in this section, not less than--

• • • 
      `(i) $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after the date of enactment of the Standing with Minimum Wage Earners Act of 2006;

• • • 
      `(ii) $6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day, adjusted for that year as provided for in subparagraph (B); and

• • • 
      `(iii) $7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day, adjusted each year as provided for in subparagraph (B); and

• • 
    `(B) the wage provided for under clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall be automatically increased for the year involved by a percentage equal to the percentage by which the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress increased for such year as provided for pursuant to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 31).'.

[CNYSkinFan]

`(B) the wage provided for under clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall be automatically increased for the year involved by a percentage equal to the percentage by which the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress increased for such year as provided for pursuant to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 31).'.

ABSOLUTELY Brilliant. I think this is fair and reasonable. First it gives immediate relief to working poor with an immediate bump. but that bump is small so that small businesses can adjust, and 2 annual steps to make up for the fact the minimum wage has not been addressed in well over a decade. Then tying it to the hypocracy of congress who routinely vote themselves pay raises.

I would prefer an annual $.25 pay raise with a vote in congress needed to suspend that pay raise for a year, but who knows that may be the endgame.

[RedskinsDave]

I like the percentage equal the their raise part but the $7.25 is too high.

[Ibleedburgundy]

That looks like an improvement over the current plan but instead of tying the increases to congress, I would prefer it to be a standard 4% per year just like they do with certain types of Government approved rates. MW increases need to be solid and dependable, not based on partisan hackery and stickin' it to congress.

[SkinsKY]

Originally Posted by RedskinsDave

I like the percentage equal the their raise part but the $7.25 is too high.

I tend to agree that $7.25 is high, but I'd be fine moving it up and at least keeping it up with inflation, or something so it is a more fluid number.

[CNYSkinFan]

Originally Posted by RedskinsDave

I like the percentage equal the their raise part but the $7.25 is too high.

Many on the extreme left are calling for an $8.50 living wage minimum so to me $7.25 in two years is about right. Considering gas has almost tripled in the last 10 years and most likely will continue to go up in the next two, and this includes heating oil and energy costs, and will soon include any goods shipped by truck, train, or air (which means EVERYTHING!!!) going up to $7.25 within two years of passage (most likely 3 years from now) is a pretty good step.