Sources: NY times, NY Daily News, In the Times, huffingtonpost
There has been a lot of controversy over what the minimum wage should be raised to or whether it should be raised at all. Some argue that if its raised the amount of money that will be redistributed to the lower wage class will not make much of a difference compared to the overall economy. Obama’s call to raise the minimum wage from 7.25 to 9 dollars has started a wave of arguments. While most labor unions and officials from advocacy groups on wages were surprised by Obama’s decision to finally address the issue, arguments are surfacing in regards to the actual amount that it should be raised to. Here in New York, the Senate introduced a plan in the budget to raise the minimum wage. Once again though while the officials are calling it progress, the issue remains on what the raise should be. Some believe that the white house went with a modest number of 9 to perhaps make it more appealing to Republicans who are opposed to minimum wage raises because it hurts businesses and job growth. Either way, there seems to be general optimism that it will be raised and that negotiations will be able to raise the wage to an amount where everybody is comfortable.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nys-senate-calls-minimum-wage-hike-article-1.1285690
http://inthesetimes.com/article/14696/labor_and_allies_surprised_by_obamas_9_minimum_wage_proposal_scramble_to_co/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/obamas-minimum-wage-unions_n_2725460.html
