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Stillwater cafe owner's 'minimum wage fee' makes political waves
St Paul Pioneer Press ^ | 8/8/2014 | Nick Woltman

Posted on 08/09/2014 4:37:13 AM PDT by markomalley

The Oasis Cafe in Stillwater this week found itself at the center of the fiery national debate over the minimum wage.

The restaurant's owner, Craig Beemer, began adding a 35-cent charge to every bill starting Aug. 1. Labeled a "minimum wage fee" on each customer ticket, it was intended to offset the added cost of Minnesota's new $8 per hour minimum wage, which took effect that same day, Beemer said.

In the week since, outraged phone calls and Facebook posts have accused Beemer of political grandstanding and trying to deny his employees a living wage. The furor has drawn national media attention. The "Today Show" and MSNBC's "Morning Joe" both picked up the story.

"It's been pretty shocking how this thing has blown up," Beemer said.

(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Extended News; Government; US: Minnesota
KEYWORDS:
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I personally wish every business would visibly show the hidden cost of taxation on the price consumers pay.

1 posted on 08/09/2014 4:37:13 AM PDT by markomalley
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To: markomalley

I’d be more concerned about a $9.00 burger!!


2 posted on 08/09/2014 4:39:49 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: markomalley

This is a no tip place. You aren’t required to tip anyone there

The staff are all overpaid


3 posted on 08/09/2014 4:40:05 AM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc.;+12 ..... Obama is public enemy #1)
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To: Sacajaweau

It had Blu cheese


4 posted on 08/09/2014 4:40:47 AM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc.;+12 ..... Obama is public enemy #1)
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To: markomalley

I agree. That’s the only way to get them to realize who pays for it.


5 posted on 08/09/2014 4:41:07 AM PDT by ex91B10 (We've tried the Soap Box,the Ballot Box and the Jury Box; ONE BOX LEFT!)
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To: markomalley

I agree! All our bills should come with a breakdown of costs so we can see how much of a bite the gov takes. Uncle Sam has become a vampire..


6 posted on 08/09/2014 4:43:11 AM PDT by ArtDodger
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To: markomalley

the only people making waves are the libtards who are freaking out...


7 posted on 08/09/2014 4:47:53 AM PDT by Crim (Palin / West '16)
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To: Crim

Economic illiteracy means never having to say you’re sorry.


8 posted on 08/09/2014 4:49:29 AM PDT by Arm_Bears (Rope. Tree. Politician. Some assembly required.)
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To: markomalley

FREEP THIS POLL!

I notice there's a poll attached tothis article. Le's freep it. I noticed that the thumbs-up option on the "minimum wage fee" is in the lead at this point, despite the aggressively antagonistic tone of the article.

9 posted on 08/09/2014 4:51:28 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (When you see a fork in the road, take it. - Yogi Berra)
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To: markomalley

Kinda off topic but,Yes remember when gas pumps had a breakdown of taxes as part of the price sign.They need to go back to this as to keep it in the publics face


10 posted on 08/09/2014 4:51:57 AM PDT by CGASMIA68
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To: markomalley

Property tax bills itemize taxes/bonds/fee all the time. I guess the only difference is the government is doing that...


11 posted on 08/09/2014 5:00:40 AM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: markomalley

All business costs are passed on to consumers. If not, then over time the business will go bankrupt. Most small businesses only earn a normal salary for the boss.


12 posted on 08/09/2014 5:07:07 AM PDT by 1010RD (First, Do No Harm)
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To: ArtDodger

all emplyees should get gross wages including the unemployment and workers comp and social security they hide by saying the employer pays and let the the employee pay it all.


13 posted on 08/09/2014 5:12:49 AM PDT by the_daug
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To: markomalley

Every gas pump should show the taxes paid for each gallon of gas. Government is sucking money out of your pocket and the roads, which are supposed to be maintained in return, are horrible.


14 posted on 08/09/2014 5:13:19 AM PDT by txrefugee
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To: the_daug

... and everyone should pay estimated taxes quarterly rather than having them with-held from their wages. If people touched the money and then had to write a check to the government for the provided “services”, bribing the electorate would be less successful as a political tactic.

Did you know that with-holding was invented by Milton Friedman during WWII, although he later regretted it?


15 posted on 08/09/2014 5:15:10 AM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: BookmanTheJanitor

speaking of tax bills-

THIS IS WHY HE IS ADDING THIS!!!!! :

( BTW-He operated at a LOSS! last year)-

And this “minimum “ wage is to do several things:

A. Divide people into warring classes-typical commies

B. HIS BUISNESS TAXES GO UP!!

C. HIS INSURANCE costs go up !- (unemployment ins.)

D. The States UNIONS can NOW ask for an increase!!- it is Tied to the minimum WAGE!

The Demonrat party is EVIL-

AS a side note- ALL of his employees (including dishwashers!!)- made OVER 10$ per hour- his waitresses

AVERAGED -between $20 -$35 per hour!! - with the TIPS- AND BY LAW they HAVE to add in- the tips to pay Minnesota TAX!


16 posted on 08/09/2014 5:15:36 AM PDT by mj1234
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To: markomalley

Nazi governments insist that business willingly submit to their socialist schemes. They are not permitted to resist or protest. They must be punished.


17 posted on 08/09/2014 5:20:08 AM PDT by centurion316
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To: markomalley
I personally wish every business would visibly show the hidden cost of taxation on the price consumers pay.

You are correct, this is the best method to show the effect of government laws, let the public see it every time they buy something. Truth in Taxes!

18 posted on 08/09/2014 5:26:01 AM PDT by Lockbox
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To: markomalley

“trying to deny his employees a living wage”

Its RESTAURANT work! It is not now nor has it ever been a living wage job unless you are the head cook or the manager. Its a second income job, an income between other jobs, an income while going to school job. Not an I can live on this for 50 years job.........
People are getting silly with this nonsense. They have lost all prospective thanks to clowns like Obama and Pelosi..........


19 posted on 08/09/2014 5:30:03 AM PDT by SECURE AMERICA (I am an American.ad Not a Republican or a Democrat.)
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To: SECURE AMERICA
Its RESTAURANT work! It is not now nor has it ever been a living wage job unless you are the head cook or the manager.

From later in the article (not in the excerpt posted):

Beemer says it's only his servers who make minimum wage, adding that, with tips, they regularly take home between $20 and $35 an hour. Dishwashers and cooks start at $10 an hour and $12 an hour, respectively.

Taking home $20-$35 an hour sounds like a living wage to me...even in the Twin Cities area.

20 posted on 08/09/2014 5:35:42 AM PDT by markomalley (Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good -- Leo XIII)
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