New Democratic Congress Increases Minimum Wage for Utah’s Working Families

Wednesday, January 10, 2007
 

Utah State Democratic Party

455 South 300 East Suite 301 | Salt Lake City, UT 84111 | 801-328-1212

 

News Release

 

Contact: Wayne Holland

801-916-1879 - cell

 

For Immediate Release

January 10, 2006

 

New Democratic Congress Increases Minimum Wage for Utah’s Working Families

Democrat Matheson’s Vote Represents up to 77% of Utahns Views

Republicans Cannon and Bishop? Not So Much

 

Washington, DC- Today, Democrats in Congress did what Republicans have refused to do for ten years: voted to give workers an increase in the federal minimum wage, raising it from $5.15 to $7.25.  Nearly 13 million workers will benefit from an increase in the minimum wage and 89 percent of Americans support its increase, including 72 percent of Republicans. [EPI] [Newsweek poll, 11/11/06] Here in Utah, nearly 178,000 will benefit from this minimum wage increase.[CBPP, 8/2/06]  

http://www.epinet.org/issueguides/minwage/table3.pdf

 

In addition to increasing minimum wage the new Democratic Congress has wasted no time getting to work on the people's business, already passing historic ethics reform and the bi-partisan 9-11 Commission recommendations. 

 

"Raising the minimum wage is not just sound policy, it's a sign of our values," said Utah Democratic Party Chair, Wayne Holland, Jr. "Everyday, Utahns work hard and play by the rules to provide a living for their families but far too many are still living in poverty. 

 

“In addition to the financial benefit for working Utahns, the passing of this bill will increase the purchasing power of more than 178,000 consumers in our state. This is good news for our families, and it is good news for our local businesses.

 

“Democrats are acting swiftly to fulfill our promise to restore America to a country that works for working Americans.  Passing minimum wage is a critical first step in that goal.  This legislation will provide millions of Americans, and almost 200,000 Utahns, the long-awaited increase in wages they deserve."

 

 

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