Monday, November 18, 2013
Senate Republicans Seek Fair Wages, Economic Competitiveness
Today I distributed the
following press release regarding tomorrow’s Senate debate on the minimum wage
bill:
Boston- In
the midst of an unexpected and rushed attempt to put Massachusetts on a path to
having a highest-in-the-nation $11 minimum wage, Senate Republicans are working
to achieve a more balanced approach with a fair minimum wage and economic
competitiveness to create jobs and growth in the face of an uncertain recovery.
Senate Bill 1925, “An Act to
Restore the Minimum Wage”, was reported out favorably from the Senate Committee
on Ways and Means last Thursday, largely bypassing the committee process since
several minimum wage bills are awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Labor
and Workforce Development. In response
to a very limiting deadline for amendments to the bill, the Senate GOP Caucus
today offered several amendments, all of which seek to provide fair wages and a
better employment climate so that more people will have a job to earn those
wages and more.
“If the goal is to make
Massachusetts one of the most expensive states in the country in which to try
to start or grow a business, then the language of the current Senate bill is
appropriate,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “But if we are seeking to boost income for
low wage earners and foster job growth, retention and competitiveness, then
there is a better and more reasonable approach.”
Avoiding the shortsightedness
of the bill, the caucus filed amendments that would encourage job growth, increase
the minimum wage to livable levels, and target unemployment by addressing the
multifaceted issue from several different angles. Those amendments include:
- Raising the minimum wage to $9.50 by April 2016, and basing future
raises on several critical factors, such as unemployment rates, rates of
neighboring states, and economic competitiveness;
- Alternatively providing a onetime increase to $9.00 and leaving
future increase to legislative action;
- Helping minimum wage earners with children by expanding resources
through the Massachusetts Earned Income Tax Credit;
- Reforming the unemployment insurance system;
- Reducing the minimum wage for teens under the age of 18 by no more
than 20% of the current rate to increase employment opportunities;
- Studying the effectiveness of regional minimum wage rates rather
than a one-size-fits-all statewide rate;
- Combating high energy costs; and
- Assisting employers who offer health care coverage to minimum wage
earners.
“When addressing an issue
that will have such substantial impacts on the Commonwealth, it is imperative
that we take a thoughtful approach and carefully consider all perspectives and
proposals,” said Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham). “At this time the Senate
needs to act responsibly, not haphazardly to effectively improve the quality of
life for all of the Commonwealth’s citizens”
“Something as complex as
raising the minimum wage to $11 an hour over the course of three years can have
several long-lasting, unexpected consequences that could really hamper our
economic recovery, particularly small businesses,” said Senator Tarr. “The legislature should have a conversation
to achieve two goals; 1) providing livable wages, and 2) ways to reduce the
cost of doing business in Massachusetts.
The Senate Republican Caucus believes we can have that conversation and
achieve those goals through the amendments that were filed today.”
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