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Minimum Wage Increase

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The Fight for Minimum Wage Increase

President Obama is in a battle with Congress to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 by 2016 not only from the economic stand point but also to improve social equality (Taylor, 2014). According to Rogers (2014), minimum wage laws encourages workers to want to put forth their best effort and adds positive value rather than hinders workers’ self-respect. The reluctance from Congress is based on a theory that helping some may result in a loss of jobs for others (Desjardins, 2014). Many business groups feel that in order hire more employees, employers must offer lower wages. Data from the Department of Labor shows the opposite. Twelve of the 13 states that raised their minimum wage have shown an increase in growth more so than lower-wage states (Taylor, 2014). Business owners who align pay with work for their employees experience positive labor effects such as less turnovers and absenteeism. The benefits are positive saving money in the long run from having to recruit, and train new workers (Taylor, 2014). Regardless of the arguments Republicans have against the minimum wage increase, the fact of the matter is that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report shows that an increase will improve income inequality with approximately 16.5 million low-wage workers would see an increase in their paychecks (Desjardins, 2014). According to the CBO report, lower and middle income workers would see an increase in their wages, while those accustomed to receiving upper level pay will most likely see a decrease in income because of a minimum wage increase (Desjardins, 2014). American needs more good Samaritans like Kentucky State University interim president Raymond Burse. In an effort to improve the wages for low income workers at the Kentucky University, Burse took a $90,000 pay cut. This philanthropic effort will boost

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