Wisconsin Jobs Now and a group of low-wage workers are using an unusual state law to try to pressure Gov. Scott Walker into raising the state's minimum wage, Bryce Covert reports:
That statute says, “Every wage paid or agreed to be paid by any employer to any employee…shall be not less than a living wage,” which must be enough to “permit an employee to maintain herself or himself in minimum comfort, decency, physical and moral well-being.” The state minimum wage can’t be less than that. The governor has the ultimate responsibility to ensure that the wage is in compliance, but any member of the public can file a complaint saying the minimum wage isn’t enough. After that, the governor has 20 days to investigate and take action.
The current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour is not a living wage; in fact, it's below the poverty threshold for a family of two, and it's not like being right at the poverty threshold meets the general standard for a living wage. Of course, this is Scott Walker we're talking about. The likelihood that he agrees to raise the minimum wage is zero. But this puts pressure on him to address the issue, which is surely one he'd rather avoid.
In response to the complaint:
“Governor Walker wants jobs in Wisconsin that pay two or three times the minimum wage,” [Walker spokesperson Laurel] Patrick said. “He is focused on finding ways to help employers create jobs that pay far more than the minimum wage or any other proposed minimum.”
This is a hilariously bad way for Walker's people to change the subject. Okay, Walker
wants jobs in Wisconsin that pay two or three times the minimum wage and he's focused on finding ways to create those jobs.
But he's failing, with a job creation record that ... well, it stinks. Saying you won't raise the minimum wage because you're going to create jobs that pay more than the minimum wage is only an effective dodge if people think you might possibly follow through and create those jobs.
So again, low-wage Wisconsin workers are asking: What is Scott Walker going to do about a minimum wage that's a poverty wage? He needs to answer that.
Help elect a governor of Wisconsin who will offer the state's workers something other than excuses. Please give $3 to Mary Burke.