SenateBill 1925, “An Act to Restore the Minimum Wage”, was
reported out favorably from the Senate Committee on Ways and Means last
Thursday, largely bypassing the committee process since several minimum wage
bills are awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce
Development. In response to a very limiting deadline for amendments to the
bill, the Senate GOP Caucus today offered several amendments, all of which seek
to provide fair wages and a better employment climate so that more people will
have a job to earn those wages and more.
“If the goal is
to make Massachusetts one of the most expensive states in the country in which
to try to start or grow a business, then the language of the current Senate
bill is appropriate,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).
“But if we are seeking to boost income for low wage earners and foster job growth,
retention and competitiveness, then there is a better and more reasonable
approach.”
Avoiding the
shortsightedness of the bill, the caucus filed amendments that would encourage
job growth, increase the minimum wage to livable levels, and target unemployment
by addressing the multifaceted issue from several different angles. Those
amendments include:
• Raising the
minimum wage to $9.50 by April 2016, and basing future raises on several
critical factors, such as unemployment rates, rates of neighboring states, and
economic competitiveness;
• Alternatively
providing a onetime increase to $9.00 and leaving future increase to
legislative action;
• Helping
minimum wage earners with children by expanding resources through the
Massachusetts Earned Income Tax Credit;
• Reforming the
unemployment insurance system;
• Reducing the
minimum wage for teens under the age of 18 by no more than 20% of the current
rate to increase employment opportunities;
• Studying the
effectiveness of regional minimum wage rates rather than a one-size-fits-all
statewide rate;
• Combating high
energy costs; and
• Assisting
employers who offer health care coverage to minimum wage earners.
“Senate
Republicans have offered an alternative measure that takes a more balanced
approach in moving Massachusetts’ minimum wage amongst the highest in the
nation, but yet still allows the Commonwealth’s business sector to remain
competitive, while not further burdening small businesses,” said Assistant
Minority Leader Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth).
“When addressing
an issue that will have such substantial impacts on the Commonwealth, it is
imperative that we take a thoughtful approach and carefully consider all
perspectives and proposals,” said Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham). “At this
time the Senate needs to act responsibly, not haphazardly to effectively
improve the quality of life for all of the Commonwealth’s citizens”
“Something as
complex as raising the minimum wage to $11 an hour over the course of three
years can have several long-lasting, unexpected consequences that could really
hamper our economic recovery, particularly small businesses,” said Senator
Tarr. “The legislature should have a conversation to achieve two goals; 1)
providing livable wages, and 2) ways to reduce the cost of doing business in
Massachusetts. The Senate Republican Caucus believes we can have that
conversation and achieve those goals through the amendments that were filed
today.”
