The issue of minimum wage is a debate that has been occurring recently in Washington state and on the national level. While it may not solely end poverty, raising the minimum wage takes big steps toward improving the local economy. University of Chicago business students were asked in 2013 what they thought raising the minimum wage would do for unemployment: 4 to 1 said that the benefits far outweigh the costs economically.
Washington state already has one of the highest minimum wages in the country, but we still are not as high as we should be.
I think legislators should be discussing more options in regards to raising the minimum wage, beyond just accounting for inflation. It’s time we implemented a living wage. Our economy is just as strong as Oregon’s and our minimum wage is 22 cents higher. This is a change I would certainly welcome to be put on the election ballots.
As a college student, I can attest to the importance of the possibility of good pay.
