Spring Break
Minimum wage rates see increase
Casandra Haynes
Issue date: 7/24/08 Section: NEWS
Part two of a threefold minimum wage act will increase minimum wage 70 cents from $5.85 to $6.55.
According to the Texas Minimum Wage Act, chapter 62 of Texas Labor Code, the minimum wage will increase a total of $2.10. The first increase was July 24, 2007, and the next increase will be on July 24, 2009, ending minimum wage at $7.25. In January 2007, the House of Representatives approved the increase, and in February the Senate approved the increase.
"I think this increase will help a lot of families," international studies sophomore Elizabeth Azubuike said. "With the standard of living that's going on now, some people can't even survive on the pay they are getting. Raising minimum wage may force other companies to raise their pay."
An estimated 1,229,000 single parents with children under 18 may benefit from a minimum wage increase to $7.25 by 2009, according to the Economic Policy Institute Web site.
"Right now everything is going to keep going up, including food and gas prices, and I think the government is trying to compensate for that. This increase will help everyone," Azubuike said.
The effect of the last minimum wage increase in 1996-97 has been eroded by inflation, according to the institute.
The institute also estimates that women will be the largest group to benefit from the minimum wage increase. About 12 percent of working women would benefit directly from the increase in minimum wage.
"Changing minimum wage sets the platform for financial survival," Danielle Grant, a human development and family studies junior, said. "Minimum wage should be set at a way that somebody working 40 hours a week could survive off their paycheck according to the price of living. That includes paying rent, bills and gas costs."
Grant said she believes her pay should increase also.
"I think it's fair that I'm not getting an increase in pay because I already make more than minimum wage, but I do think they should also increase my wages," she said. "I'm grateful for my job and for how they pay me, but I barely make it from one check to the next. So in my opinion, if minimum wage increases, then the price of living will too, and in order to continue making it, I will need an increase in my pay."
According to the Texas Minimum Wage Act, chapter 62 of Texas Labor Code, the minimum wage will increase a total of $2.10. The first increase was July 24, 2007, and the next increase will be on July 24, 2009, ending minimum wage at $7.25. In January 2007, the House of Representatives approved the increase, and in February the Senate approved the increase.
"I think this increase will help a lot of families," international studies sophomore Elizabeth Azubuike said. "With the standard of living that's going on now, some people can't even survive on the pay they are getting. Raising minimum wage may force other companies to raise their pay."
An estimated 1,229,000 single parents with children under 18 may benefit from a minimum wage increase to $7.25 by 2009, according to the Economic Policy Institute Web site.
"Right now everything is going to keep going up, including food and gas prices, and I think the government is trying to compensate for that. This increase will help everyone," Azubuike said.
The effect of the last minimum wage increase in 1996-97 has been eroded by inflation, according to the institute.
The institute also estimates that women will be the largest group to benefit from the minimum wage increase. About 12 percent of working women would benefit directly from the increase in minimum wage.
"Changing minimum wage sets the platform for financial survival," Danielle Grant, a human development and family studies junior, said. "Minimum wage should be set at a way that somebody working 40 hours a week could survive off their paycheck according to the price of living. That includes paying rent, bills and gas costs."
Grant said she believes her pay should increase also.
"I think it's fair that I'm not getting an increase in pay because I already make more than minimum wage, but I do think they should also increase my wages," she said. "I'm grateful for my job and for how they pay me, but I barely make it from one check to the next. So in my opinion, if minimum wage increases, then the price of living will too, and in order to continue making it, I will need an increase in my pay."
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Jack Handy
posted 7/27/08 @ 11:01 AM CST
When I was college in the early 90's, minimum wage was $4.27. Back then, I could afford to scrape by. Today, even with the recent increase. I just don't see how people do it. (Continued…)
Dillon Johnstone
posted 7/27/08 @ 6:44 PM CST
Is this the first publishing that we've had of these events? With the way that economic analysts have been following the way that inflation rates in the US are burdening states of living, and gas Prices. (Continued…)
Stephanie Bartee
posted 7/29/08 @ 2:26 PM CST
I was wondering, since the minimum wage increases $.70, does that mean that if you are getting payed $6.00 it will increase by $.70, or will it just go to $6. (Continued…)
roberto rodriguez
posted 7/29/08 @ 7:10 PM CST
Dear Stephanie,
The overall wage raised 70 cents to 6.55.
Not all wages will go up 70 cents, they will simply be raised to the new minimum of 6.55
Ha
posted 7/31/08 @ 12:26 AM CST
Ha, tell Bataille that she has to pay her student employees more. I hope she doesnt have to give up part of her 400 something thousand dollars a year, company cars, or club memberships because of this. (Continued…)
Casandra Haynes
posted 7/31/08 @ 9:36 AM CST
Lol thats funny...Well most of the campus jobs are required to go up in pay because of the wage increase...the people who are making above minimum wage. (Continued…)
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