Bill Text: MI SR0112 | 2013-2014 | 97th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to raise the national minimum wage and set it to annually increase according to the Consumer Price Index.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-25 - Discharge Committee Defeated [SR0112 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2013-SR0112-Introduced.html
Senators Ananich, Young, Anderson, Bieda, Warren, Whitmer, Gregory, Hood, Hopgood and Johnson offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 112.
A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to raise the national minimum wage and set it to annually increase according to the Consumer Price Index.
Whereas, The Congress of the United States should improve the lives of low-income Americans and raise the federal minimum wage rate. Thirteen states are set to increase their state minimum wage this year, increasing the number of states with a minimum wage rate higher than the federal $7.25 rate from 19 to 21. Lawmakers in three states—Connecticut, Rhode Islands, and New York—enacted legislation raising their rate while the residents of New Jersey voted to increase their state's minimum wage rate. The remaining nine automatically increased their rates to account for cost-of-living increases. While these states lead the way, some states, like Michigan, have seen their legislation calling for a higher minimum wage shuttered from consideration; and
Whereas, Increasing the federal minimum wage rate and adjusting it annually according to changes in the Consumer Price Index will reduce the number of Americans living in poverty. At its current rate of $7.25 per hour, the annual income of a full-time employee working for a calendar year at minimum wage is insufficient to surpass the federal poverty guidelines for a household of two. When married with two children, a full-time employee would make nearly $8,500 less than the federal poverty guidelines. In total, 46.5 million people in the United States lived in poverty in 2012, according to the U.S. Census Bureau; and
Whereas, For a $17 trillion economy, the aggregate cost of increasing the minimum wage pales in comparison to the individual benefits received. Under a 2013 congressional proposal to raise the rate from $7.25 to $10.10 over three years, the estimated 30 million workers currently making less than $10.10 per hour could receive up to an additional $5,900 annually for full-time employment. While this increase would not lift all households living off minimum wages out of poverty, the proposed increase provides a reasonable balance between making a measurable difference in the lives of low-wage Americans and the concerns of the business community; and
Whereas, The individual benefits of a higher rate are substantial, but it can also be beneficial to employers as well. Studies have shown that a higher minimum wage can lead to higher employee morale, better performance standards, and enhanced customer service. Increased pay can motivate employees to work harder and boost productivity. According to the Economic Policy Institute, during the three-year phase-in period, raising the minimum wage rate to $10.10 per hour will increase our nation's gross domestic product by $32.6 billion and net 140,000 new jobs; and
Whereas, Increasing the federal minimum wage is the best available policy tool for increasing the annual income of low-wage Americans. In recent years, Congress has expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, both refundable tax credits targeting low-income families. At a time when corporate profits are at an all-time high and labor's share of income continues to steadily decline, refundable tax credits subsidize minimum wage payrolls. Increasing the minimum wage will not only increase the income of minimum wage workers, but also place the burden of compensation directly on the employers who benefit from their work; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to raise the national minimum wage and set it to annually increase according to the Consumer Price Index; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
