Some oppose minimum wage hike; others decry strong-arming by state
By Teddye Snell, Tahlequah Daily Press, Okla. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Even during the lean days of the shop's inception, Ryals always paid her employees more than minimum wage, even new hires.
"I think you pay people what they're worth," said Ryals. "If you don't, they'll always be looking for their next job."
President
This legislative session, a bill passed prohibiting municipalities from setting a minimum was or vacation and sick-day requirements. Gov.
In the past, Fallin has opposed raising the federal minimum wage, as she believes it would "destroy jobs." The governor's decision to sign the bill has drawn ire from the
Ryals doesn't necessarily disagree with the assertion, saying a leap from
"To start employees at
"It's a double-edged sword, really," said Ryals. "In places with high poverty rates, raising the minimum wage might bring people out of poverty and make them less dependent on the state for benefits."
Ryals also doesn't think it's necessarily a good idea for cities to set minimum wages.
"I realize there has to be a standard [such as the federal minimum wage], but I don't think it's a good idea [for a city] to mandate a minimum wage," said Ryals.
While she wrestles with the political end of the debate, Ryals realizes the choices she's made for her own business have worked for her.
"I like to think by paying my employees above minimum wage, they feel appreciated, valued and assets to the business," said Ryals. "As a result, I think they work harder. I also don't give annual raises. I base raises on merit. I don't give 10 or
Sen.
Federally recognized American Indian tribes, like the
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief
According to tribal officials, nearly 400 employees will see a pay increase resulting in more than
"
The wage increase is applicable to all government employees, including health care, education, housing and other operations.
Change
The memo asserts that many businesses would have to decrease the workforce if the minimum wage is increased by a municipality.
"While most businesses in
"Laws like this are destructive to the economy and particularly to the unskilled workers, no matter what government passes them, federal state or local," said Grimes. "Passing such laws are price-fixing that skews the labor market prices and insure that fewer unskilled workers will be able to find work."
Grimes said the government has no business mixing with private industry.
"Government should not be running mine or anyone else's business, which is what these laws do," said Grimes. "Minimum wage, vacation and sick day laws tell business owners and their employees that they cannot decide themselves what is acceptable. Lowering or removing the minimum wage would lead to greater employment rates. As more people are employed, more production takes place. As more production takes place, the economy and economic opportunities expand."
In its Saturday Facebook forum, the
"I don't think the state should tell cities what to do as far as wages go, any more than the state would like the federal government telling them what to do," said Jefferson. "If the people of a town or city decide to raise their wages, let them be. They have spoken."
"I say let some cities raise it; others won't," said Hoenes. "Let's see who does better."
"If the minimum wage goes up, the prices of everything goes up as well," said Pacheco. "So that just defeats the purpose of raising wages."
Peggy Wilson agrees with Ryals' way of doing business, saying business owners should be the ones to decide to exceed the minimum wage.
"Why not just pay your employees what they are worth?" asked Wilson. "Some [people] will be worth more to the business than others."
Local business owner
"I contend that raising the minimum wage is bad for people," said Soto. "It is bad on so many levels. It hurts jobs, it hurts small business, it hurts our rights and increases the power of the political elite in
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