1/8/09 Fair Minimum Wage

The increase of the minimum wage in Washington and Oregon may at first seem like a good thing, but the fact is the increase puts the two states at the top of our nation's minimum wage scale, which puts a great strain on small business owners and farmers. The increase is supposedly based on inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index, but that is based on price changes in major U.S. cities. The formulas used to calculate economic conditions however don't take into account rural areas conditions. And unlike large businesses that can adjust their prices to compensate for the increased wages, farmers and small business can't. Federal minimum wage is currently at $6.55 an hour, and is scheduled to increase again in July, 2009. While Washington and Oregon voters approved minimum wage adjustment measures, the inequity of the measures was unforeseen. Farmers and business owners are hoping that a workable solution can be found as lawmakers begin their new session. Cheap labor isn't the objective; easing the burden created by annual wage increases is.