Times- Standard Does Measure R
The Times- Standard is doing a four part series on Eureka's Measure R, the local initiative to raise the minimum wage to $12.00 for businesses with 25 employees or more.
Part 2 is here. Part 1 is here. Part 1 already has some back and forth in the comments section, including a few by yours truly.
I'll be voting NO on Measure R. I don't have a problem with an occasional and gradual raising of the minimum wage by the state or federal governments. Minimum wage earners do seem to get left behind over the years as prices go up.
Measure R raises it too high, too fast. Never mind being specific to Eureka which puts the city at a competitive disadvantage. The state just raised the minimum wage this last July and will be raising it again next year. That should suffice.
Within a few years those earning more than minimum wage will get their wages raised to compensate for the increased minimum wage and minimum wage earners will be back to square one. There will always be some people working at the bottom of the pay scale. Minimum wage increases can't change that.
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Update: Part 3 of the series, plus Eureka Chamber of Commerce's Don Smullin has his argument against Measure R in the paper today.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 9:50 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
As every Ladder of Excess climber knows, you need that important lower first step to test your weight and wipe your soles upon.
How long have they been doing comments Fred?
The Times- Standard? For years. They started out using Topix comments, if memory serves, but dropped them because of the nasty comments attributed to anonymity. Yeah, it did get rough, but I like the Topix format. Easy to use and read.
Then they switched to Facebook comments for a year or so. Facebook comments suck. Period.
Then they switched to Disqus, which they're still using. Hooray!
Comments really dropped off, though, after they dumped Topix. More often than not, there aren't any comments to most stories. I'm guessing it's because the Times- Standard web site is rough on at least some computers?
Thanks Fred.
I'm running into the problem where I can only access 10 articles per month even though I pay for the online pdf version. I'll contact them today to figure out what is up as I definitely want access now to divulge a quip or two.
And I agree with you Disqus I can use, Facebook is too Big Brother for me.
Biggest thing I hate about Facebook comments is the text is so small I have a hard time reading what I'm trying to write.
Such a large increase infuriates people that have worked a couple years or so to get to $12/hr and will NOT be getting a pay raise commensurate with the increase. I know people personally on both sides and small business owners that are going to take a hit. Wages SHOULD keep up with the times, but this much will have MANY unintended consequenses. One of them is there will be fewer net jobs at the same companies. There already is with some folks I know, as businesses adjust hours budgeted to the new wage, which hasen't even gone to a vote yet. Lastly, all those that are demanding a pay raise, have to get off their butts and vote for it. Holes don't punch themselves.
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