As the Maryland General Assembly addresses legislation proposing a hike in the current minimum wage of $10.10 to $15 an hour, I recommend caution as well as compassion. Like most things in the political arena, a decision aimed at boosting take-home pay and relieving poverty is not simple or straightforward.
Since I wrote last week that I planned to devote this week’s column to examination and analysis of the minimum wage by this non-economist, I’ve read extensive emails sent me by a friend and economist and spoken with business and non-profit executives. A housing specialist also offered input.
I am torn.
Every working person should make enough money to live not impoverished, able to pay expenses. Everyone should feel compensated fairly and valued. Everyone should feel proud of one’s output, unburdened by a supervisor’s unrealistic expectations.
Employers, particularly those who own small businesses or manage social-service non-profits, face a quandary when state government decides to raise the minimum wage. Eager to pay their employees a fair wage, they now may face a mandate. They also must confront simple economics: can they afford to employ as many people at a higher hourly rate and make a desired profit or continue providing services?
If the answer is no, then employers must lay off employees. They may have no other alternative. The result is undesirable: former workers either must find another job or seek unemployment insurance.
Employers might cut benefits. That too is hurtful.
Nonprofits providing necessary services to poor individuals are in a squeeze when compelled to pay higher wages. The needy clients cannot pay higher fees, prompted by higher-paid service-providers.
Having spent considerable time in Annapolis, I well realize that opponents of bills such as ones dealing with mandated minimum wages or benefits always claim that the world will fall apart should legislation viewed as onerous be approved and signed by the governor. I also know that these cries of alarm are sometimes rhetorical devices.
This time around, I suggest that minimum-wage opponents receive a fair hearing. Their voices need to be heard and regarded. Further, I suggest that if the General Assembly find the politics irresistible to increase the minimum wage from $10.10 to $15, it do so in phases.
Private and non-profit sectors need time to adjust to a new wage reality.
And one more thing: I believe that the minimum wage be set differently for, say Baltimore County, than it is for, say, Dorchester County. This is reasonable. The cost of living differs. The volume of business and ability to pay employees is markedly different in Towson than it is in Cambridge.
Leaders of Maryland counties must have a respected voice. Decentralized decision-making may be unreasonable; input, though, is vital.
An unavoidable consequence of raising the minimum wage in a small business typically calls for hiking the hourly rates of those folks earning greater than the existing minimum wage. This is just a reality. Personnel expenses thus continue to rise for a small business owner.
Complexity underscores the minimum wage debate. It’s just so tempting to raise pay and enable people and their families to live more comfortably. To argue otherwise seems so heartless. It seems the right thing to do in a churning economy.
I ask Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker of the House Mike Busch to consider the inevitable byproducts of a compassionate and politically pleasing legislative initiative. I wish I could jump on the bandwagon without any reservation.
I would like to be led by my heart. It’s just not rational.
Before I bring this column to a merciful close, I believe that raising the minimum wage should not be a stand-alone action. The legislature should combine an increase with additional incentives to build affordable and safe housing and provide job training and affordable day care. It simply makes sense if the state wishes to upgrade the income and output of workers in a holistic way.
At the risk of being redundant, I urge readers to pay heed to the Maryland General Assembly. What it does matters.
Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. In retirement, Howard serves on the boards of several non-profits on the Eastern Shore, Annapolis and Philadelphia.
Gretchen Stroh says
I agree with alot that you have written. The minimum wage has gone up ALOT in the last 3 years. Raising minimum wage to 15$ would affect a large number of people right now. As someone who has been looking for a job since Sept, I have found the jobs I’m applying for, requiring alot of skills only offer about 12.50 an hour. Meaning all of those AAs and secretaries out there would have to get an immediate raise of about 20% to reach a minimum wage of 15$. This increase would affect alot of people in this state.
I do question about having different minimum wages across the state. I think just because you’re in a rural area might not mean your expenses are less. There is no public transporation, so you have to have a car. Alot of people in Kent Co. need to commute an hour, in that car, each way, just to get to their minimum wage job. Living in a rural area creates different financial challenges. So I would be against splitting up the minimum wage.
I really appreciate that the state of MD. has raised the minimum wage so much. Socialized healthcare and increased minimum wage goes a long way to creating a better society.
Joe Lill says
Would a gradual increase of the minimum wage coupled with a gradual reduction in public assistance makes sense?