Proposed Minimum Wage Hike in AR Facing Opposition
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Updated: January 3, 2013
An Arkansas lawmaker who plans on introducing a bill to raise the minimum wage is already facing some political opposition.
Rep. Butch Wilkins (D-74) wants to hike the state's minimum wage to $8.25 per hour, one dollar above the federal rate, two dollars above the state rate.
Within minutes after KARK sent out a Twitter of his proposed hike, Rep. David Meeks (R-46) voiced his opposition through the same social media outlet.
Under Wilkins' proposal, low-wage workers would earn just over $17,000 a year, up from just over $15,000 per year.
Even though that's still not enough to live on, let alone get ahead, some people KARK spoke with say it is a good idea.
"I think it helps the girl of the guy starting out (in the work world)," said Henry Petty, of Little Rock.
Theresa Harrison, who has two sons earning minimum wage, thinks hiking the rate would put her boys a little farther ahead.
Ten states are kicking off 2012 with minimum wage hikes above the federal rate, according to a Reuters article. In sum, 19 states have minimum wages above the federal rate.
Arkansas' wage is $6.25 per hour, the federal rate is $7.25 per hour.
Rep. Butch Wilkins (D-74) wants to hike the state's minimum wage to $8.25 per hour, one dollar above the federal rate, two dollars above the state rate.
Within minutes after KARK sent out a Twitter of his proposed hike, Rep. David Meeks (R-46) voiced his opposition through the same social media outlet.
Under Wilkins' proposal, low-wage workers would earn just over $17,000 a year, up from just over $15,000 per year.
Even though that's still not enough to live on, let alone get ahead, some people KARK spoke with say it is a good idea.
"I think it helps the girl of the guy starting out (in the work world)," said Henry Petty, of Little Rock.
Theresa Harrison, who has two sons earning minimum wage, thinks hiking the rate would put her boys a little farther ahead.
Ten states are kicking off 2012 with minimum wage hikes above the federal rate, according to a Reuters article. In sum, 19 states have minimum wages above the federal rate.
Arkansas' wage is $6.25 per hour, the federal rate is $7.25 per hour.
