July 27, 2012 by David K. Sutton
House Democrats propose legislation to increase minimum wage to $9.80 an hour
On Thursday more than 100 House Democrats voiced supported for legislation to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.80 an hour. Introduced by Representative George Miller (D-CA), the proposed legislation (known as Miller’s Fair Minimum Wage Act – H.R. 6211) would increase the minimum wage in 85 cent increments each of the next 3 years. When it reaches $9.80 in 3 years, the proposed legislation would link minimum wage to inflation. “Anyone who works hard and plays by the rules should not live in poverty. Yet 47 million Americans now qualify as the working poor. Raising the minimum wage helps families make ends meet,” said Rep. Miller.
I say it’s long overdue that we linked minimum wage to inflation. But I’m guessing this bill is dead before it even gets a chance to be voted on in today’s Republican controlled, do nothing House of Representatives.