- Increasing the minimum wage to something between $7.25/hr (the current rate which she feels is too low) and $10.10/hr (the Democrat-proposed rate, which she feels might be too high)
- Increasing the number of hours to define "full-time" employees as set forth under Obamacare, which is currently 30 hours or more.
- Extend small business tax credits
Collins has previously worked to compromise on the government shut down, unemployment benefits extension, and has often been a key vote in the Senate. However, both Democrats and Republicans have been unyielding on the subjects Collins hopes to compromise on.
It is good to see someone trying to make compromises and recognizing that both sides have valid points in their favor. It makes sense to raise wages slowly, as too much fluctuation might be a shock to the economy.
ReplyDeleteIt does make sense to raise them slowly. By implementing a slow increase, it gives businesses time to absorb the higher prices, and the economy to deal with the "shock" of a higher minimum wage.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great start towards building a compromise over the issue of the minimum wage. Although, this compromise may fail, because it addresses the issue of Obamacare. This is often a hot topic that encourages a lot of divide between the two major political parties. However, it is encouraging to see compromise over the issue of raising the minimum wage. This compromise, for the most part, looks like it would be a positive for the U.S. economy. Despite the possible negative effects that increasing the minimum wage could have, there can be also be benefits to extending small business tax credits. This addition to the compromise will likely soften the burden of increasing the minimum wage for small businesses, and as a result, become a positive for economic growth in the U.S. economy.
ReplyDeleteI feel that this compromise is pretty reasonable. It is very difficult to live off the current minimum wage, but $10.10 an hour may be too expensive for some small businesses. I feel that the extension of tax credits to small businesses in addition to a less significant raise in minimum wage is the way to go. The decrease in time to receive full benefits would also be very helpful to workers that are struggling to get by. I think Senator Collins proposed a very good plan.
ReplyDeleteI don't think most people realize that an adult making the minimum wage (as unlikely as that is) will receive benefits from his state (food stamps, for example) and the federal government (the EITC, for example). The minimum wage is not feasible to live on, true, but most adults do not, and those who do receive other welfare benefits.
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