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There have been many calls in recent months for a $15 minimum wage. I could cite national research on why the market could not handle a 107-percent increase. Instead, I will tell you that I know this firsthand from our Lehigh Valley employers, the members of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. A $15 minimum wage would equal job-loss, increased prices and create a heavier dependence on social services. Our members believe that any increase in the minimum wage should be transparent, predictable, outside of the political realm and reflect regional economic variances. But, is the current $7.25 an hour a fair minimum wage? The members of this Chamber of Commerce said, “No!” We cannot support a jump to $15.00 per hour, but we support a compromise that takes the politics off the table and supports working Americans. We support these key actions: • Increase the minimum wage to $9.25, effective January 2017. Continue existing exemptions included in applicable federal and state laws and regulations, such as those related to wages for students or employees of amusement or recreational establishments. • Implement a tiered regional minimum-wage structure that specifies different rates based on the socioeconomic circumstances of the area in question, with the $9.25 minimum wage recommendation targeted for the Lehigh Valley region, and adjust as necessary for other areas of the state, taking into account regional economic variances. • Link increases in minimum wage to the CPI-W, capped at 3 percent based on a 20-year rolling average. • Do not reduce the minimum wage in the event that any annual index drops. Workforce development is key to preparing employees to earn higher than minimum wages. The goal of the chamber’s partnership with the LV Workforce Development Board is to provide a workforce that meets the needs of businesses while providing a fair living for employees. Yes, we understand this means an increase to business costs. But, our members believe it would be far more manageable for businesses and more fair to employees over the long term since increases would be predictable and not influenced by politics. CEO Salaries Increase, Minimum Wage Stays the Same – We Can Do Better By State Senator Daylin Leach, (D) Delaware/Montgomery The 2016 federal poverty level for a family of four is $24,300 in annual household income. Think about living and supporting a family on that income. Imagine how difficult life would be. Of course, that income is a dream for thousands of families today. Under the current minimum wage of $7.25/hour, one earns only $15,080 annually. At a minimum wage of $10.00/hour, one earns only $20,800 annually, still thousands of dollars below the poverty rate. Only a $15 minimum wage will truly bring low-income workers out of poverty. To force people to live in such squalor at a time when CEO salaries have increased almost 1,000 percent over the past 40 years and executive compensation continues to sky-rocket is simply wrong. I’m always bemused by corporate executives who come to my office to argue against raising the minimum wage, when their salary has tripled or quadrupled since the last minimum-wage increase. There’s plenty of wealth to go around. Raising the minimum wage has the ancillary benefit of saving tax dollars. McDonald’s and other low-paying companies provide tips to their employees on how to apply for food stamps or other government poverty benefits. Why should we allow rich corporations to outsource paying their workers to the taxpayers? If the minimum wage had kept pace with labor productivity since it was first enacted, it would be over $20/hour. If it had kept pace with executive compensation, it would be over $25/hour. It is immoral, bad for our economy and bad for society to allow a few to gain so much, while condemning others to live on so little. An adequate minimum wage ensures that those working full-time, sometimes in difficult, demanding and stressful jobs, are not forced to live in poverty. Today, it is inadequate. We can do better. To read the original article, click here.