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1. Economic Independence

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   Good for Tim Murray to put this issue front and center:

   MURRAY CALLS FOR DECLARATION OF ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE URGES GOV. ROMNEY TO SUPPORT MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

   Worcester, Mass. —  (July 3, 2006)  Timothy P. Murray, Mayor of Worcester, today called on Gov. Mitt Romney to support increasing the state’s minimum wage to $8 per hour, and to sign into law the bill increasing that wage which will soon be on the governor’s desk.

   “As we celebrate the independence of our country, your support of this vital initiative would be a declaration of economic independence for hard-working men and women across this state who are struggling to capture their piece of the American Dream,” Murray wrote in a letter delivered to Romney’s office today.

   The state’s minimum wage has languished at $6.75 for more than five years.  The purchasing power of the minimum wage has dropped 12-percent since 2001. Today, the annualized pre-tax salary of a full-time minimum wage worker is just $14,040 – a sum that barely exceeds the federal poverty level for a single parent with one child. 

   A bill to increase the minimum wage to $8 is nearing approval in the Legislature. Both the House and Senate have endorsed the increase, and a conference committee is now debating whether to phase in the increase over two years or three.

   “Over sixty local prominent economists signed on to a statement in support of increasing the minimum wage because they know it will be good for the overall economy,” Murray wrote, asking Gov. Romney to publicly endorse the increase today, “so the Legislature can complete its work on the bill and get a consensus version to your desk as soon as possible, knowing it will be signed into law without delay.

    

   old-silver-beacher   @   Tue 4 Dec 7:00 PM
   

   • Murray is on target

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     Could there be a more appropriate day to hold the Romney/Healey Administration accountable for turning a blind eye to people across this state who try to subsist on the Massachusetts minimum wage?

     Murray is right to point out that economic independence is a cornerstone of the democracy we celebrate today. Pursuit of the American Dream is near impossible for those enduring an American nightmare of long hours at poverty wages.

     Massachusetts can and should do better.

      

     hlpeary   @   Tue 4 Dec 7:00 PM
     

2. A fine idea.

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   Consider it done.

   david   @   Tue 4 Dec 7:00 PM