FROM STATE REP. BRANDON Ellington Rep. Ellington Files Legislation to Raise Minimum Wage JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -Representative Brandon Ellington (D – Kansas City) has filed in the Missouri House of Representatives a bill that would raise the state minimum wage to $10.25 per hour beginning on January 1, 2015. The bill represents an effort to reduce the number of Missourians in poverty and provide a quality standard of living to all of those who make an effort to seek employment. House Bill 1408 would increase the minimum wage by 37% from its 2014 rate ($7.50 per hour). “All Missourians that are employed full-time should be provided a living wage and the present wage does not adequately allow for housing, food, health care, and other necessities,” said Ellington. “The present minimum wage has lead to the expansion of the “working poor”, a group that works full-time but cannot make ends meet. A higher minimum wage would cover significant ground in addressing a serious problem among Missourians.” Housing is especially difficult to procure while earning the minimum wage, forcing many Missourians into extended-stay motels or leaving some without a place to live. The National Low-Income Housing Commission in 2012 reported that in no state could a person afford a two-bedroom apartment when making the minimum wage, based on a 40-hour workweek. In fact, it estimates, according to the U.S. Bureau of Housing and Urban Development that the average Missourian would have to work 74 hours a week on minimum wage to afford a two-bedroom apartment. Critics of a higher minimum wage are concerned with its impact on employers and small businesses. Many believe that Missouri’s economy, much of which is small business-oriented, will be able to support a higher wage. A Politico op-ed published in March of 2013 states that “an increase in someone’s hourly wage won’t translate to an increase in their annual take-home pay if they lose hours or employment as a result.” Proponents believe, however, that the increased buying power and economic stability of individuals will contribute more to the economy and save tax dollars that would otherwise be spent on benefit programs. The House of Representatives is set to take action on the bill in the coming days and weeks. For more information, please contact Rep. Ellington’s office at (573)-751-3129.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 00:00:45 +0000