Moving Up: The Minimum Wage Battle Faces a Hurdle

Many cities and states have passed laws increasing their minimum wage well above the federal level of $7.25 an hour. But now, some state legislatures have started fighting back against cities that vote for higher minimum wages than the state wants.

This recently occurred in Missouri, where according to the “Washington Post,” the Republican-controlled state legislature not only kept the minimum wage at $7.70 per hour for the state, but reversed a months-old increase that had put the minimum wage at $10. This move directly affected around 35,000 St. Louis workers, whose yearly wages will take an annual hit of almost $4,800 if they work 40 hours a week.

Now, other states may try to impose similar laws, making it difficult for efforts to raise the minimum wage. States that have Democratic-controlled legislatures will likely uphold city efforts to raise the minimum wage (especially in larger cities where a higher cost of living will require it), but in states where Republicans hold control, and cities are controlled by Democrats, this trend is worrisome. (Residents of Washington, D.C., though, should be especially happy; without statehood, the District is less susceptible to have its recently passed minimum wage increase overturned.)

By requiring the state to have one minimum wage, Missouri makes it difficult for local governments to grow their economies, since a lower minimum wage will hurt spending and hold back workers who make the minimum wage from progressing financially.

The largest concern, though, is that many St. Louis residents who so recently received the wage bump will now have it taken away. It is one thing for an increase to be denied or voted down, which has happened quite often. But to have an already imposed minimum wage increase reversed, and have people see their paychecks shrink, with little chance to see it increased again, is quite depressing.

Sadly, it seems that if a state legislature really wants to set up a statewide minimum wage, cities are not in a position to fight it.

Arthur Johnson is a Street Sense contributor and author of the column “Moving Up.” If you have ideas for future columns or questions, you can email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ArthurMovinup.


Issues |Jobs

information about New Signature, a Washington DC tech solutions and consulting firm

Advertisement

email updates

We believe ending homelessness begins with listening to the stories of those who have experienced it.

Subscribe

RELATED CONTENT