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Should Minimum Wage Be Increased?

257 views · Published 14 February 2013 · 3:07 · Indexed 21 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2013 · News & Politics

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By Jerry Askin  We're taking a closer look at something President Barack Obama proposed in his state of the union address Tuesday night.President  Barack Obama says to get the economy moving again, Congress needs to raise the minimum wage.  The president continued that raising the wage would make a huge difference for the working poor and help businesses by giving them customers with more cash in their pockets.Wednesday we went by Genghis Grill in downtown Chattanooga. Many workers there make at or around minimum wage. Employee Jennifer Berry says she has to work to raise her two small children, pay her college tuition, and stay afloat.Obviously I'm all for it. As the cost of living goes up, therefore the minimum wage should go up, that's just economic basics, says Jennifer Berry.She's like many of her coworkers in favor of President Obama's proposal to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.00. The  average minimum wage for all states falls around 7 dollars and forty seven cents.  Wyoming has the lowest at $5.15. Washington state has the highest at $9.19.LaShundra Jackson supports the increase, especially because she has to raise her 8-month old alone. Because I'm a single mother, and I have children to take care of, and people are struggling right now.  Plus I just bought a house this year, says Jackson.The owner of Genghis Grill has seen his business slump over the last two years. He says raising minimum wage would make matters worse. You would probably have to hike the cost for the consumer or cut down on labor cost by cutting down on workforce, says K.K. Sidella, the owner of Genghis Grill.    The owner of Cheeburger Cheeburger right next door pays his employees a little above minimum wage.I can see where businesses who are looking at the possibility to ensure their employees in conjunction with a minimum wage increase would have a large impact on their finances, possibly putting them out of business, says owner Charlie Eich.The President wanted to raise the minimum wage in 2008 to $9.50,  it did not pass. Depend on us to let you all know how this current proposal pans out.

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