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WALZ’S FIRST BILL HE CO-SPONSORS WILL RAISE MINIMUM WAGE/KILL JOBS
By Michael B. Brodkorb | December 15, 2006
"(Mankato, Minn.) Congressman-elect Tim Walz announced today that legislation to raise the federal minimum wage will be the first bill he co-sponsors as a member of Congress." Source: Tim Walz for Congress press release, [via MN Publius]
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UPDATE: This comment was just left on Minnesota Democrats Exposed.
Raising the federal minimum wage will kill jobs. I'll have more on Walz's bill during tomorrow's radio show.
I just love the Left when it comes to this issue. You talk and talk and talk and talk about the little guy, but then you go and do something like this.
My little sister is a waitress in a small Greater Minnesota town. (I love this story)
Shortly after the state’s minimum wage was increased, the local DFL County Party leadership was in the restaurant for their monthly meeting. They meet there every month.
When my sister presented them with the new menus with higher prices, these clueless DFLers were beside themselves that the prices of their favorite pecan pie and chicken sandwiches had gone up.
My sister (small town waitress, not rich) explained to them that the prices went up because the minimum wage was increased.
Of course, they thought there was no way that could have happened (having never had to have met a payroll in their public employee union jobs).
But the real world does sometime get in the way. And yes, that was the cause of the new menus.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Two teenage girls got laid off.
Thanks for fighting for the little guy.
Walz, all you are doing is creating more people dependent on Government welfare. Which is actually politically astute on your part because it is the most effective way for the DFL to keep buying votes. Beats cash or smokes, and you can pay for it with my money.
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31 Responses to “WALZ’S FIRST BILL HE CO-SPONSORS WILL RAISE MINIMUM WAGE/KILL JOBS”
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December 15th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Mike — let’s take your reasoning one step further: let’s lower the minimum wage and thus create jobs!
There is clearly a relationship, right?
December 15th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
[...] So soon-to-be Congressman Tim Walz has already cosponsored a bill. The bill will raise minimum wages. I have 2 reactions.Check that, 3 reactions. [...]
December 15th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
So a minimum wage increase kills jobs… I guess this means that when Gil Gutknecht bragged that his vote for a minimum-wage increase would “make a real difference in the lives of millions of Americans,” he was actually pointing out that he voted to *hurt* millions of Americans.
Oh, Gil!
December 15th, 2006 at 3:51 pm
I just love the Left when it comes to this issue. You talk and talk and talk and talk about the little guy, but then you go and do something like this.
My little sister is a waitress in a small Greater Minnesota town. (I love this story)
Shortly after the state’s minimum wage was increased, the local DFL County Party leadership was in the restaurant for their monthly meeting. They meet there every month.
When my sister presented them with the new menus with higher prices, these clueless DFLers were beside themselves that the prices of their favorite pecan pie and chicken sandwiches had gone up.
My sister (small town waitress, not rich) explained to them that the prices went up because the minimum wage was increased.
Of course, they thought there was no way that could have happened (having never had to have met a payroll in their public employee union jobs).
But the real world does sometime get in the way. And yes, that was the cause of the new menus.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Two teenage girls got laid off.
Thanks for fighting for the little guy.
Walz, all you are doing is creating more people dependent on Government welfare. Which is actually politically astute on your part because it is the most effective way for the DFL to keep buying votes. Beats cash or smokes, and you can pay for it with my money.
December 15th, 2006 at 4:00 pm
“the minimum wage law is most properly described as a law saying employers must discriminate against people who have low skills” – MF
December 15th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
It’s a price floor, which, as all price floors do, creates an excess of supply and a shortage of demand, resulting in inefficiency.
December 15th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
I wonder what Southern minnie moderate now thinks
of “Minneapolis’ other congressman” ? And WALZ,WHERE IS YOUR PLAN TO GET THE TROOPS OUT OF
IRAQ ? THAT REALLY IS THE ONLY REASON YOU BEAT GIL !! LET’S HEAR IT NOW ! UNTIL THEN, SHUT YOUR
BOOZE GUZZLING TRAP !!
December 15th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Many people on both sides say that the wage increase will will NOT kill jobs.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=aO0TOGX8SeHY&refer=columnist_sperling
Giving people whom have minimum wage a fairer share of them tax cuts; along with a bump in wage has lead to a boom of small business growth in the past.
Disposable income: Anybody that works minimum wage job will earn more income, to spend on things such as houses, cars, blow it on cd’s at the local record store, or whatever. It will help stir up the economy, not slow it down.
The lies about killing jobs were not bought by the people this November. Folks overwhelming came out in favor for candidates that supported a minimum wage increase.
December 15th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
Give me a break.
First of all, most of the jobs lost to a minimum wage hike are lousy anyway. Those two teenagers will not be unemployed for life as a result, they’ll get a job at a Dairy Queen. In the time since MN got a hike, has unemployment skyrocketed in affected industries?
Second, the federal minimum wage is much lower for employees who earn tips, so again, why restaurants would need to raise prices baffles me.
The fact that you can look yourself in the mirror and say that some people should have to live on a wage of $5.15 an hour shows that you are totally out of touch with what a living wage is.
A minimum wage shows the value that we put on those lowest in our society.
December 15th, 2006 at 7:01 pm
There’s probably some value in declaring some level of minimum wage. But workers would do themselves a favor by seeking more gainful employment and improving their skills.
The gasbags in Washington can feel good about legislating a raise. But they’re creating stagnation in the labor market, and giving low skill workers a crutch and incentive to stay at the bottom wrung.
December 15th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
He can sponsor what he wants. It ain’t happening for at least two years.
December 15th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
I’m totally with you that raising minumum wage is foolish, however instead of worrying about Democrats who we know will be foolish on this issue why don’t we worry about the Republicans who can’t help themselves on this issue. Norm Coleman and Tim Pawlenty come to mind.
December 15th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
Basically the argument here is certain employees deserve to be paid more then the currently willingly accept. To that I ask why don’t they find a better job, hell join a union if they can’t negotiate for themselves, but by all means if a person is worth $10 an hour they have every right to go get $10 an hour.
We can’t make business cut the slack, by all means if we want to lift up the working poor we can do that, but if we choose to do so lets allow our tax dollars to do it rather then pick and choose the busineses we put the burden on.
December 15th, 2006 at 10:22 pm
So, Demrock6, you’re saying that raising the minimum wage gives low-skill workers a share of a tax cut… come again?
You accomplished demonstrating that you could be more uninformed with everything else you said.
Raising the minimum wage wasn’t an issue debated in November, much less one voters weighed in on. Additionally, the increased prices that will result from a hike will make it just as impossible for low-earners to afford the things you list.
The best way for low-wage earners to make more money is to find a different, higher-paying job. Not to legislate the minimum wage.
December 15th, 2006 at 10:30 pm
I’ll add… Wow… that link Demrock6 provided goes to an opinion piece that is only a smidgen more coherent than he/she is.
It’s not much more intelligent an argument than: “Cause I think it’s a good idea.”
Dumb.
December 16th, 2006 at 12:17 am
So Tim Walz is now a bad guy for wanting to see that the Minimum Wage get a boost, when Gil Gutknecht had been quoted numerous times saying..”Americans have not had a pay raise in years and it is long overdo.”
Places of business that have a higher starting wage do better in the long run. People have a reason to get up in the morning to go to work. Customer Service becomes more the focus for more business. Good people are retained. The economy benifits when more disposble income funnels back into the pot. Social services use is lessened.
In many metropolitan areas of the country, it takes making upwards to $20 an hour just to make ends meet. Do many of you who oppose a Minimum Wage increase suggest people work 2 or 3 jobs at the current rate? Most minimum wage workers are people ranging from age 20 to 50, and Elderly working to supplement their retirements.
December 16th, 2006 at 12:23 am
Here’s a good arguement for Raising the Minimum Wage and Valuing Work.
http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=277873&z=12
December 16th, 2006 at 3:27 am
What lousy grammar: “WALZ’S FIRST BILL HE CO-SPONSORS….” If Mike Hatch had written that solecism, we wouldn’t have read about anything else on this site for days. How about “Walz’s maiden bill…” or “Walz’s first co-sponsored bill…”?
December 16th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
I guess the point, kathy, is that businesses who pay more do better. It’s beyond silly, however, to think that legislating higher wages will result in service improvements of any kind.
The best way for employees to get better wages is to seek out better paying jobs, and enhancing their skills to qualify for better paying jobs. I don’t suggest people that people work 2 or 3 low-wage, low skill jobs. … but if they want to, that’s their choice.
December 16th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Kathy and Demmie – here’s a link you need to use.
http://tinyurl.com/
Use it. Live it. Love it.
December 16th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
The vast majority of people don’t earn minimum wage and very few earners or employers will be affected by the bill if it passes. (In that respect, I’m disappointed that Dems are wasting their time on a largely ceremonial bill when there’s plenty of real work to do.) First of all, many states (including red ones) have already legislated a higher minimum wage than the one required by the federal government. Secondly, most employers already pay higher wages because they have to in order to attract and retain qualified workers. The story Michael tells makes for a great sob story (assuming it’s true and not created for effect) but it does reflect the generally accepted truth that the people most likely to be laid off because of a minimum wage hike will be teen-aged kids who, if they really want to work, can easily go get a different job somewhere else (or create their own with lawn mowing or babysitting). My teen-aged daughter walked through a mall a few weeks ago and was offered jobs on the spot at two of the shops she visited. It’s a job-seeker’s market for entry level low paying jobs.
December 16th, 2006 at 3:32 pm
Oh, and by the way, I heard an interview on the radio recently with a restaurant owner who said he compensated for the increase in wages he paid (voluntarily, not due to legislation) by raising the price of a soft drink by 10 cents. If that’s what the customers were complaining about, shame on them.
December 16th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
kyle,
Your argument seems to be “if you want more money, get a better paying job.” I’m going to assume that you, just like me, don’t personally know what it’s like to live hand to mouth. If I’m wrong I apologize. For the working poor, a minimum wage increase allows them more flexibiliy. A higher base wage (and the wages based on it) allow people to work less hours and find and/or pay for those skills you talk about. But I don’t believe you can just say, ’sucks for you, stop whining, get a better job.’
December 16th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
I know Democrats are unqualified to participate, but it really is a simple thought experiment. Just imagine that we raised the federal minimum wage to something that would do some good– let’s say $60/hour. NOBODY would be poor, we’d all be rich, right? But if you don’t think that will work out well, then why does raising it only slightly make everything better?
December 17th, 2006 at 9:01 am
Right, Paulp, you’ve summarized my argument well. Whether I’ve personally been destitute is a non-sequiter. But, for the record, I’m no trust-fund baby.
I can say “sucks for you, stop whining, get a better job.” The living and working conditions of those earning just minimum wage will not change until they change their situation. Yes, that means learning new skills and seeking a better paying job.
In most ways, this minimum wage argument is nothing more than another entitlement mantra. You liberals can raise the minimum to $10,000 per hour, but prices will adjust accordingly, and low-wage jobs will continue to be low-wage jobs. The “flexibility” you talk about will disappear to inflation, and they will still barely get by.
December 18th, 2006 at 1:45 am
Ok, you republicans love being all about business and the free market and all of that.
my friend goes to college in Iowa which does not have any state minimum wage additions. She is a college student who makes 5.15 and her school is in a small town and EVERY job there pays $5.15. She simply cant go out and get a better job so she is stuck being a broke college student. Granted, college students are supposed to be broke. But if she made more money, than she would be out spending it a lot more and would thus be adding to the economy.
Sure people will lose their jobs BUT think of how many people are going to get laid off compared to how many more people will be able to live off the money they make. I think the greater good is in raising the minimum wage.
I loved the point about a 10 cent pop price increase. I am thinking most companies will find small ways like that, ways most people wont even notice, to be able to make up for the lost money the company has to dish out to employees.
I really hate the go and get a better job rhetoric. No proof of this but I have always not liked the fact that it appears that white trash people who are missing teeth always end up being the ones who work at Wal Mart and get treated like shit. It is a vicious cycle and it isnt fair. Why is it always hick nasty places in places like Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming where people are simply white trash while people in the state I live in (MN) are much better off because of our minimum wage law set at 6.15. You know what else too, the only places I ever hear of companies actually paying minimum wage are those hick places where the companies pray on the unfortunate folks and can pay them whatever they want because they live in trailers anyway. I live in a nice suburb outside of Minneapolis and I havent ever started at below $7 an hour for every job I have worked, and that was even pre-minimum wage increase
December 18th, 2006 at 9:09 am
I have only one question? Why not raise minumum wage to $100 an hour? Think of how motivated workers would be then. Plus that way we could raise taxes to around 70%, and anyone that is displaced by the higher wages could simply live off welfare.
If it’s really that damn simple then shouldn’t it still be simple at $100 an hour, sure a subway sandwhich might cost $40 but hey thats ok people would be making $100 an hour minumum hell I bet some college educated workers could make around $120 an hour, oh by the way with the added tax dollars everyone could go to college for free, wouldn’t it be great, people that can’t do math or put together a sentance could go to college, and of course we could lower standards to make sure they all graduate.
December 18th, 2006 at 10:33 am
//The fact that you can look yourself in the mirror and say that some people should have to live on a wage of $5.15 an hour shows that you are totally out of touch with what a living wage is.
A minimum wage shows the value that we put on those lowest in our society.//
Anonymous, thanks for bringing me out of my self imposed blog comments hiatus.
The fact that YOU look in the mirror and say that government has the right to decide what someone should make, regardless of the job they do or experience that they have shows that YOU are totally out of touch with capitalism, but are totally in touch with socialism.
A minimum wage does not put a value on those lowest in our society. It puts an artificial value on skills that they might not have. It has nothing to do with a living wage. Anyone can earn a living wage if they so choose.
We have the welfare system in place for the “lowest” in our society to use tax dollars to get some education that will allow them to move into a higher paying job. In my opinion, a much more humane way to get someone a “living wage” is to help them earn it, rather than require their employers to give it.
December 19th, 2006 at 10:50 am
I am not a fan of the minimum wage. It is an artificial limit that has no bearing to the real world. The main reason to raise the minimum wage is so Union workers can get a bigger raise. That’s all this is about. Fine by me. Hats of to the Unions for playing this correct politically. I am not in a union, I would never join one if I had a choice, but the Unions are good at this issue.
As for its effect on the economy, I think it is marginal at this point. Most minimum wage workers are kids and part timers. Maybe 5% — a big maybe — of these workers are actually trying to support a “family” on this wage. most are kids are retired folks who work because they want to not because they have to. For kids it is for spending money, for retired folks, for something to do.
Also, the Bush economy is humming all so well, that this will not ven be a blip on the radar screen. I really believe that. Nationwide, unemployment is around 5%. That means were are now employing people who are not even relaible employees. They are just warm bodies who take us space. In Minnesota it is arounf 3.5%. Again, raising this won’t matter — we are already at full employment and most employers including places like Wal-Mart and McDonalds with minimum wage and entry level employment are ALREADY PAYING PEOPLE MORE THAT THE MINIMUM WAGE. The economy has already solved this problem. This is a solution looking for and searching for a problem.
Liberals, if you are honest about this topic, you’ll have to admit the economy is humming along. You can bash Bush all you want, but things are great. I know they are for me and most of the people I know, Dem or GOP or independent.
If people claim they are not doing well, it is because they bought too big of house or spent too much using credit.
So, while I am not a minimum wage fan, it’s a mot issue since the Bush economy is so good.
December 19th, 2006 at 10:53 am
One last thing — if you claim things are so bad — move out here to Marshall and Lyon County. We have 1.3% unemployemnt. We can’t fill all our jobs. Schwan’s and US Bank are always looking for people and they pay well, and are good places to work.
Yeah, it might require you to move, but that is a self imposed limitation. You can do very well in Greater Minnesota.
December 26th, 2006 at 9:51 am
[...] This is why the minimum wage in Florida should have never been raised. As a side note, when it was up for vote, I voted against it. My family and friend were mad at me. Apparently, I was a cruel heartless person. That is fine, the minimum wage was increased anyway. I got fired, and the college tuition went up. When people in Pensacola voted for minimum wage, they voted to increase the amount of hobos, and make Pensacola more of a rich boys club. If you want to know why it takes a $20 job to make ends meet, its partially because of this increase. [...]