Posted on 01/17/2006 12:59:05 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
The Maryland General Assembly today voted to raise the state's minimum wage by $1 an hour, brushing aside concerns by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) that the move would hurt small businesses.
The Democratic-led Senate voted 30-17 to override Ehrlich's veto of the legislation, which would bump the minimum wage in Maryland up to $6.15 an hour, $1 more than what is mandated by federal law. The House, also led by Democrats, voted to override Ehrlich last week.
Democrats argued that the legislation is a relatively modest measure to help working families, who also are struggling with higher gas costs and utility bills. And they said it is unlikely that Congress, which last raised the federal minimum wage in 1997, would offer assistance anytime soon.
"If you leave this to the federal government, it's not going to be done," said Sen. Thomas M. Middleton (D-Charles), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
With today's action, Maryland will join 17 states and the District in guaranteeing a higher minimum wage than federal law requires. The District's minimum is $7 an hour. In Virginia, the rate is the same as the federal rate.
Maryland's new rate will take effect in 30 days.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
If you are not a parasite Democrat, but rather a hard-working Republican, run away from Maryland as fast as your feet can fly. (Just follow the entreprenuers who are in front of you, running even faster and leading the way.) The place is a toilet.
Time to get outta Maryland!!!
Please remove me from ping list.
(no, I'm not serious)
Sadly, there are people who think that way.
Hey, a buck an hour is big news! That extra $160-a-month will easily cover the rent on a new set of chrome wheels!
Everytime the 'Rats override one of the Gov's vetoes, they then express shock when the effects he warned of happen.
It's as dependable as the tides.
The power of the people. Now let them live in the world the world they create and see if they like it.
Be a big hit if Wal-Mart and a bunch of other businesses left
MD. They would deserve it.
Considering that nearly every point in Maryland is a quick drive to another state (particularly no-sales-tax Delaware) this is the dumbest thing ever.
It's a quagmire!
I doubt that there is anyone in Maryland with an IQ who is working for minimum wage or even for $6.15. Wow, $6.15 an hour. Now there's an incentive to stop hanging out in the projects and selling crack.
Besides, I can't even hire a teenage babysitter for less than $8 an hour.
Besides, if the dims cared about the cost of gas for po' folks, they'd drop the state gas tax.
I don't understand your point since they taxed the evil corporations who were stealing all of the money from the hard working folks and keeping it locked up in their vaults shoudn't this have been a good thing?
Sarcasm off!
"Democrats argued that the legislation is a relatively modest measure to help working families, who also are struggling with higher gas costs and utility bills."
Of course, they could have reduced the state tax on gas and utilities, instead they chose to shift the burden of those taxes onto businesses, further deluded by shifting it to the customer in the form of higher prices or worse service/products.
The citizens get what they deserve.
I once lived in the People's Republic of Maryland. I always hated the local politics.
This action will cause businesses to avoid MD if they can set up shop in Virginia.
Marryland is in need of a new name. I hereby nominate "Marxiland" as the new State name. Do I have a second?
Who thinks the Post will follow this with a story about minimum wage employees laid off by small businesses after next month's unemployment reports are filed?
Ya know, I don't see what's so bad about this. More companies move to Virginia!
The grand experiment in state governments continues. And it's obvious that states that pass minimum wage hikes are failures.
Headline should read "Maryland teenagers and other people seeking first job priced out of the market by economic illiterates in Maryland General Assembly!"
Amend that,
Headline should read "Maryland teenagers and other people seeking first job priced out of the market by economic illiterates in Maryland General Assembly, Union Goons get raise!"
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