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Md. Overrides Minimum Wage Veto
The Washington Post ^ | Tuesday, January 17, 2006 | John Wagner and Matthew Mosk

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; News/Current Events; US: Maryland
KEYWORDS: ehrlich; maryland; minimumwage; veto
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1 posted on 01/17/2006 12:59:08 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican

Only a $1 per hour raise? The Rats are so cheap! How can anyone live off so little!?


2 posted on 01/17/2006 1:00:17 PM PST by TheDon (The Democratic Party is the party of TREASON!)
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To: MinorityRepublican

I guess the Democrats are trying to sabotage Maryland's economy in the hopes of dooming GOP control of the governorship.


3 posted on 01/17/2006 1:01:04 PM PST by Brilliant
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To: MinorityRepublican
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.

Unemployment is such a big help to working families.

4 posted on 01/17/2006 1:01:50 PM PST by VRWCmember
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To: Brilliant

This just goes hand-in-hand w/the hamstringing of Wal-Mart in MD w/their precious "let's make every1 pay for medical care". Even if half their employees are just PT teenage workers.


5 posted on 01/17/2006 1:04:33 PM PST by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue.)
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To: MinorityRepublican
First crushing Wal-Mart and now this - I guess they are really trying to drive out all entry and low level business and work to other states...
6 posted on 01/17/2006 1:04:47 PM PST by 2banana (My common ground with terrorists - They want to die for Islam, and we want to kill them.)
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To: MinorityRepublican
"brushing aside concerns by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) that the move would hurt small businesses."

The argument to be made should be that raising the minimum wage will hurt poor people and push low-skilled workers out of the job market.
7 posted on 01/17/2006 1:04:55 PM PST by CarolinaGuitarman ("There is grandeur in this view of life...")
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To: the OlLine Rebel

It's typical Dem strategy. They pass all their irresponsible legislation while the GOP is in control of the executive branch, and then they blame the GOP for the result.


8 posted on 01/17/2006 1:06:39 PM PST by Brilliant
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To: MinorityRepublican

This minimum wage battle we fight every year is so stupid. If the goal is to provide a "decent" wage to live on, why not make the minimum wage $30.00 per hour. That's $62,400/year for a single wage earned family or $124,800/year for two. Now, we're talking "decent". Those kinds of wages will swell union dues and state/federal coffers, eliminate those large, crooked companies for profit and make government even bigger. NUTS!!


9 posted on 01/17/2006 1:07:17 PM PST by caisson71
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To: VRWCmember

It would be nice if there was a way to document the number of people who lose their jobs because of this.

Is it legal to fire someone (in part) because of their political affiliation or philosophy. For example, if I were a business owner forced to lay off one employee because of this - could I choose the liberal on my staff because his party voted for this? Just curious.


10 posted on 01/17/2006 1:07:38 PM PST by BearCub
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To: Brilliant

It's typical Dem strategy. They pass all their irresponsible legislation while the GOP is in control of the executive branch, and then they blame the GOP for the result.



Look what happened in Michigan. They raised taxes so much all the businesses moved out, now look at them.


11 posted on 01/17/2006 1:08:27 PM PST by John D
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To: Gabz

Ping...


12 posted on 01/17/2006 1:08:34 PM PST by Howlin
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To: BearCub
That should have been:

Is it legal to fire someone (in part) because of their political affiliation or philosophy?

That was a question.

13 posted on 01/17/2006 1:08:55 PM PST by BearCub
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To: MinorityRepublican

looking for an upside, iy might be that the wage will make 'unemployment' less atractive


14 posted on 01/17/2006 1:09:08 PM PST by sure_fine (*not one to over kill the thought process*)
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To: MinorityRepublican

The govt. should mandate a minimum salary of $100,000 per year. The govt. can subsidize this mandate by printing more money.

(no, I'm not serious)


15 posted on 01/17/2006 1:10:01 PM PST by iPod Shuffle
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To: 2banana
First crushing Wal-Mart and now this - I guess they are really trying to drive out all entry and low level business and work to other states...

Walmart wasn't crushed. Raising the minimum wage may make it harder to find a job with 7,000 newly laid off Walmart employees competing for a smaller number of available slots for unskilled labor.

16 posted on 01/17/2006 1:10:24 PM PST by Myrddin
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To: MinorityRepublican

More taxpayer exodus into the South and Midwest.


17 posted on 01/17/2006 1:10:57 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (None genuine without my signature)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Wow, Maryland is in serious contention for the liberal Guinea pigs award, eh?


18 posted on 01/17/2006 1:11:10 PM PST by TChris ("Unless you act, you're going to lose your world." - Mark Steyn)
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To: BearCub
could I choose the liberal on my staff because his party voted for this?

Being grossly stupid is a fine reason for firing somebody.

19 posted on 01/17/2006 1:11:59 PM PST by Graybeard58 (Remember and pray for Sgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: albertp; Allosaurs_r_us; Abram; AlexandriaDuke; Americanwolf; Annie03; Baby Bear; bassmaner; ...
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
20 posted on 01/17/2006 1:12:57 PM PST by freepatriot32 (Holding you head high & voting Libertarian is better then holding your nose and voting republican)
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