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>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE THAT YOU MENTIONED, AND MAYBE WE
THAT YOU MENTIONED, AND MAYBE WE WILL START WITH YOU
WILL START WITH YOU REPRESENTATIVE RADINOVICH, AND
REPRESENTATIVE RADINOVICH, AND THAT WAS A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC
THAT WAS A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC LAST SESSION, AND DIDN'T HAPPEN.
LAST SESSION, AND DIDN'T HAPPEN. GOING TO BE ON THE TABLE THIS
GOING TO BE ON THE TABLE THIS SESSION.
SESSION. MAYBE YOU CAN TELL OUR VIEWERS
MAYBE YOU CAN TELL OUR VIEWERS HOW YOU VIEW THE TOPIC AND WHERE
HOW YOU VIEW THE TOPIC AND WHERE YOU THINK THAT FIGURE MIGHT LAND
YOU THINK THAT FIGURE MIGHT LAND IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE
IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE AND GO AROUND THE TABLE
TO SEE AND GO AROUND THE TABLE HERE AND HAVE SOME CONVERSATION
HERE AND HAVE SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS.
ABOUT THIS. >> I VOTED FOR THE MINIMUM WAGE
>> I VOTED FOR THE MINIMUM WAGE COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE AT 950
COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE AT 950 LAST YEAR.
LAST YEAR. THE SENATORS KNOW THEIR BILL WAS
THE SENATORS KNOW THEIR BILL WAS 775.
775. THEY WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
THEY WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THAT.
SPEAK TO THAT. I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A NUMBER
I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A NUMBER CLOSER TO 9.50.
CLOSER TO 9.50. IF YOU LOOK AT THE MIN P MUM
IF YOU LOOK AT THE MIN P MUM WAGE IN THE 1960s IT WOULD BE
WAGE IN THE 1960s IT WOULD BE $10 AN HOUR RIGHT NOW.
$10 AN HOUR RIGHT NOW. IF YOU TIE IT TO PRODUCTIVITY AT
IF YOU TIE IT TO PRODUCTIVITY AT THE SAME POINT IN TIME, IT WOULD
THE SAME POINT IN TIME, IT WOULD BE INCOMPETENTS OF $15.
BE INCOMPETENTS OF $15. THE AMERICAN WORKER IS MUCH MORE
THE AMERICAN WORKER IS MUCH MORE PRODUCTIVE EVER THEY HAVE BEEN
PRODUCTIVE EVER THEY HAVE BEEN BEFORE.
BEFORE. THE WAGES REMAIN STAGNANT.
THE WAGES REMAIN STAGNANT. 60 TO 70% OF THE STUDENTS ARE ON
60 TO 70% OF THE STUDENTS ARE ON FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH AND SPEAKS
FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH AND SPEAKS TO THE ECONOMIC CONDITION OF
TO THE ECONOMIC CONDITION OF THEIR PARENTS, AND WE UNDERSTAND
THEIR PARENTS, AND WE UNDERSTAND THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON THE
THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON THE OUTCOMES OF CHILDREN AND SCHOOL.
OUTCOMES OF CHILDREN AND SCHOOL. I PERSONALLY, ALSO, THINK IF YOU
I PERSONALLY, ALSO, THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE MINIMUM WAGE RIGHT
LOOK AT THE MINIMUM WAGE RIGHT NOW YOU WOULD MAKE $15,000 A
NOW YOU WOULD MAKE $15,000 A YEAR.
YEAR. COMPANIES WHO PAGE WAGES THAT
COMPANIES WHO PAGE WAGES THAT AREN'T SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT
AREN'T SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THEIR WORKERS ON BY PROVIDING
THEIR WORKERS ON BY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO THEM.
ASSISTANCE TO THEM. I THINK SOME OF MY FRIENDS ON
I THINK SOME OF MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAISING TAXES AND THE
RAISING TAXES AND THE DISINCENTIVE IT PROVIDES FOR THE
DISINCENTIVE IT PROVIDES FOR THE WORK.
WORK. IF YOU COULD WORK 20 HOURS A
IF YOU COULD WORK 20 HOURS A WEEK OR 60 HOURS A WEEK AND ONE
WEEK OR 60 HOURS A WEEK AND ONE CAR BILL AWAY FROM BEING WIPED
CAR BILL AWAY FROM BEING WIPED OUT OR ONE MEDICAL BILL AWAY
OUT OR ONE MEDICAL BILL AWAY FROM BEING WIPED OUT, OR IF YOU
FROM BEING WIPED OUT, OR IF YOU COULD WORK 20 OR 60 HOURS A
COULD WORK 20 OR 60 HOURS A WEEK, AND YOU STILL CAN'T
WEEK, AND YOU STILL CAN'T PROVIDE THE BASIC THINGS FOR
PROVIDE THE BASIC THINGS FOR YOUR FAMILY, THEN WHERE IS YOUR
YOUR FAMILY, THEN WHERE IS YOUR INCENTIVE FOR HARD WORK?
INCENTIVE FOR HARD WORK? I THINK WE OUGHT TO MAKE SURE WE
I THINK WE OUGHT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN CONNECT THE IDEA THAT
CAN CONNECT THE IDEA THAT FULL-TIME WORK CAN MEAN YOU CAN
FULL-TIME WORK CAN MEAN YOU CAN SUPPORT YOURSELF AND YOUR
SUPPORT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
FAMILY. I UNDERSTAND EVEN AT 9.50, IT'S
I UNDERSTAND EVEN AT 9.50, IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO DO
GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO DO THAT.
THAT. IF WE DON'T START TO HAVE THAT
IF WE DON'T START TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION OR START TO RECTIFY
CONVERSATION OR START TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION, WE ARE GOING TO
THE SITUATION, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GROWING DISPARITY OF
HAVE A GROWING DISPARITY OF PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA AND MORE
PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA AND MORE CHILDREN WHO ARE RECEIVING
CHILDREN WHO ARE RECEIVING SERVICES AND BEING AFFECTED BY
SERVICES AND BEING AFFECTED BY THAT.
THAT. >> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF ATTENTION
>> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF ATTENTION HAS BEEN DIRECTED TOWARDS THE
HAS BEEN DIRECTED TOWARDS THE ISSUE OF INCOME INEQUALITY IN
ISSUE OF INCOME INEQUALITY IN MINNESOTA, IN THE UNITED STATES,
MINNESOTA, IN THE UNITED STATES, AND THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH WE CAN
AND THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH WE CAN DO AS POLICY MAKERS TO ADDRESS
DO AS POLICY MAKERS TO ADDRESS THAT.
THAT. MORE AND MORE, YOU ARE SEEING
MORE AND MORE, YOU ARE SEEING HARD WORKING FAMILIES AND
HARD WORKING FAMILIES AND MINNESOTANS STRUGGLE TO GET BY,
MINNESOTANS STRUGGLE TO GET BY, DESPITE WORKING FULL WORKWEEKS,
DESPITE WORKING FULL WORKWEEKS, AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET
AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND
WITH SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND TODAY, AND THEY SHOWED
TODAY, AND THEY SHOWED INFORMATION ABOUT FOLKS USING
INFORMATION ABOUT FOLKS USING FOOD SHELTERS IN MY DISTRICT.
FOOD SHELTERS IN MY DISTRICT. THE STRONGEST GROWING SEGMENT OF
THE STRONGEST GROWING SEGMENT OF MY DISTRICT TAPPING INTO FOOD
MY DISTRICT TAPPING INTO FOOD SHELTERS ARE WORKING FAMILIES,
SHELTERS ARE WORKING FAMILIES, WORKING ADULTS.
WORKING ADULTS. I THINK IT SPEAKS TO THE
I THINK IT SPEAKS TO THE STRUGGLE THAT A LOT OF
STRUGGLE THAT A LOT OF MINNESOTANS ARE FACING RIGHT
MINNESOTANS ARE FACING RIGHT NOW.
NOW. I BELIEVE IN A STRONG SAFETY NET
I BELIEVE IN A STRONG SAFETY NET THAT'S APPROPRIATE, AND THAT'S
THAT'S APPROPRIATE, AND THAT'S ACCOUNTABLE.
ACCOUNTABLE. THIS IS ONE OF THE VOTES WITH
THIS IS ONE OF THE VOTES WITH THE MINIMUM WAGE WHERE WE CAN
THE MINIMUM WAGE WHERE WE CAN TAKE A STAND AND SAY WORKING
TAKE A STAND AND SAY WORKING MINNESOTANS NEED TO BE ABLE TO
MINNESOTANS NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT IN THE STATE.
MAKE IT IN THE STATE. OUR MINIMUM WAGE IS BELOW THE
OUR MINIMUM WAGE IS BELOW THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE.
FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE. SO I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC THE
SO I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC THE SENATE AND HOUSE ARE GOING TO
SENATE AND HOUSE ARE GOING TO COMPROMISE, AND BELIEVE THE
COMPROMISE, AND BELIEVE THE HOUSE POSITION IS MORE IN LINE
HOUSE POSITION IS MORE IN LINE WITH WHERE OUR MINIMUM WAGE
WITH WHERE OUR MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE IN MINNESOTA AND WE
SHOULD BE IN MINNESOTA AND WE HAVE TO BE RESPECTFUL OF
HAVE TO BE RESPECTFUL OF CHALLENGES FACED BY COMMUNITIES
CHALLENGES FACED BY COMMUNITIES AND OTHERS, AND I THINK THIS IS
AND OTHERS, AND I THINK THIS IS A CHANCE FOR US TO SAY THERE'S A
A CHANCE FOR US TO SAY THERE'S A PROBLEM OUT THERE WITH INCOME
PROBLEM OUT THERE WITH INCOME INEQUALITY AND THIS IS SOMETHING
INEQUALITY AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO.
WE CAN DO. I WANT TO LISTEN TO BUSINESSES
I WANT TO LISTEN TO BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYERS, BUT AT THE END OF
AND EMPLOYERS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS ONE OF THE
THE DAY, THIS IS ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES TO SAY THERE'S A
OPPORTUNITIES TO SAY THERE'S A WRONG AND AN ILL IN PUBLIC LIFE,
WRONG AND AN ILL IN PUBLIC LIFE, AND WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT
AND WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
IT. >> IT'S INTERESTING ONLY 5% OF
>> IT'S INTERESTING ONLY 5% OF PEOPLE ON MINIMUM WAGE ARE HEAD
PEOPLE ON MINIMUM WAGE ARE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD.
OF HOUSEHOLD. WHAT IF WE TOOK THE 5% AND USED
WHAT IF WE TOOK THE 5% AND USED THE JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS WE
THE JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS WE HAVE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND
HAVE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND STATE LEVEL AND INSTEAD OF
STATE LEVEL AND INSTEAD OF GIVING YOU A LITTLE BUMP SO YOU
GIVING YOU A LITTLE BUMP SO YOU CONTINUE TO LIVE ON THE EDGE,
CONTINUE TO LIVE ON THE EDGE, LET'S MAKE SURE YOU GET TRAINED.
LET'S MAKE SURE YOU GET TRAINED. FOR EXAMPLE IN GREATER MINNESOTA
FOR EXAMPLE IN GREATER MINNESOTA WE ARE TERRIBLY SHORT METAL
WE ARE TERRIBLY SHORT METAL WORKERS AND OUR HEALTH INDUSTRY
WORKERS AND OUR HEALTH INDUSTRY IS A CRISIS, AND WE DON'T HAVE
IS A CRISIS, AND WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE GOING INTO BASIC CARE
PEOPLE GOING INTO BASIC CARE SERVICES.
SERVICES. WHAT IF INSTEAD OF TAKING AWAY
WHAT IF INSTEAD OF TAKING AWAY THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TEENAGERS TO
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TEENAGERS TO GET THE FIRST JOB WHERE THEY
GET THE FIRST JOB WHERE THEY CLEAR TABLES AND LEARN HOW TO
CLEAR TABLES AND LEARN HOW TO GET THERE ON TIME AND PUNCH IN
GET THERE ON TIME AND PUNCH IN ON TIME, INSTEAD OF MAKING THOSE
ON TIME, INSTEAD OF MAKING THOSE JOBS MORE EXPENSIVE WHY DON'T WE
JOBS MORE EXPENSIVE WHY DON'T WE FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY
FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY HAVE A NEED?
HAVE A NEED? AND THE OTHER QUESTION THAT I
AND THE OTHER QUESTION THAT I NEVER HEAR ANSWERED.
NEVER HEAR ANSWERED. LIFE GUARDS AT THE YMCA, THEY
LIFE GUARDS AT THE YMCA, THEY START AT $9.25 AN HOUR.
START AT $9.25 AN HOUR. IF WE RANGE IT TO $9.50 AN HOUR,
IF WE RANGE IT TO $9.50 AN HOUR, WHERE IS THE YMCA GOING TO FIND
WHERE IS THE YMCA GOING TO FIND THE MONEY?
THE MONEY? REDUCE PROGRAMS OR RAISE FEES TO
REDUCE PROGRAMS OR RAISE FEES TO GET IN THE DOOR?
GET IN THE DOOR? NO ONE TALKS ABOUT WHERE THE
NO ONE TALKS ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM.
MONEY COMES FROM. WHILE WE ALL HAVE COMPASSION FOR
WHILE WE ALL HAVE COMPASSION FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING, WE
FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING, WE SHOULD FOCUS ON GETTING THE
SHOULD FOCUS ON GETTING THE EDUCATION THEY NEED SO THE MOM
EDUCATION THEY NEED SO THE MOM AND DAD WITH REALLY TAKE CARE OF
AND DAD WITH REALLY TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILY AND LAUNCH THEMSELF
THEIR FAMILY AND LAUNCH THEMSELF THEMSELVES, AND YOU CAN DO THIS.
THEMSELVES, AND YOU CAN DO THIS. YOU CAN STAND ON YOUR OWN TWO
YOU CAN STAND ON YOUR OWN TWO FEET.
FEET. I THINK YOU WOULD GET A LOT OF
I THINK YOU WOULD GET A LOT OF REPUBLICAN SUPPORT FOR GOING TO
REPUBLICAN SUPPORT FOR GOING TO FEDERAL CONFORMITY.
FEDERAL CONFORMITY. >> YOU MEAN THE FEDERAL MINIMUM
>> YOU MEAN THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE?
WAGE? >> A LOT OF THE LARGE EMPLOYERS
>> A LOT OF THE LARGE EMPLOYERS ARE ALREADY THERE.
ARE ALREADY THERE. THERE'S SOME DISCOMFORT AMONG
THERE'S SOME DISCOMFORT AMONG SMALL BUSINESSES AT MOVING TOO
SMALL BUSINESSES AT MOVING TOO HIGH TOO FAST, BECAUSE THEY HAVE
HIGH TOO FAST, BECAUSE THEY HAVE FIXED COSTS AND THERE'S ONLY SO
FIXED COSTS AND THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH THEY CAN CHARGE THEIR
MUCH THEY CAN CHARGE THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND THE QUESTION IS
CUSTOMERS, AND THE QUESTION IS WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM
WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM TO PAY FOR THE INCREASE?
TO PAY FOR THE INCREASE? IT'S GOOD TO BE COMPASSIONATE
IT'S GOOD TO BE COMPASSIONATE AND WE SEE WHAT PEOPLE GO
AND WE SEE WHAT PEOPLE GO THROUGH.
THROUGH. BUT WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO
BUT WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO ACTUALLY HELP THEM OUT INSTEAD
ACTUALLY HELP THEM OUT INSTEAD OF JUST GIVING THEM A LITTLE
OF JUST GIVING THEM A LITTLE MORE AND LEAVING THEM ON THE
MORE AND LEAVING THEM ON THE EDGE.
EDGE. >> REPRESENTATIVE ABELER.
>> REPRESENTATIVE ABELER. >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT ONE
PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT ONE SIDE DOESN'T LOVE PEOPLE MORE
SIDE DOESN'T LOVE PEOPLE MORE THAN SOMEBODY ELSE, THAT IT'S A
THAN SOMEBODY ELSE, THAT IT'S A MATTER OF WHO CARES MORE.
MATTER OF WHO CARES MORE. I'M A SMALL BUSINESSMAN, AND
I'M A SMALL BUSINESSMAN, AND RENT 24 SMALL BUSINESSES AND
RENT 24 SMALL BUSINESSES AND THEY ARE BARELY MAKING THEIR
THEY ARE BARELY MAKING THEIR RENT.
RENT. SO IS THE ISSUE ABOUT EVIL
SO IS THE ISSUE ABOUT EVIL CORPORATE AMERICA OR SMALL
CORPORATE AMERICA OR SMALL BUSINESS NOT PAYING ENOUGH?
BUSINESS NOT PAYING ENOUGH? THE MONEY HAS TO COME FROM
THE MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE.
SOMEWHERE. AFTER $2 OR WHATEVER THE CHANGE
AFTER $2 OR WHATEVER THE CHANGE IS, IT COMES FROM SOMEBODY'S
IS, IT COMES FROM SOMEBODY'S BUDGET.
BUDGET. IF IT COMES FROM THE SMALL
IF IT COMES FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS BUDGET, THEN THAT SMALL
BUSINESS BUDGET, THEN THAT SMALL BUSINESS ACTUALLY MAY AFFECT
BUSINESS ACTUALLY MAY AFFECT THEIR ABILITY TO PAY THEIR RENT
THEIR ABILITY TO PAY THEIR RENT AND I MET A HE HE MET A FELLOW N
AND I MET A HE HE MET A FELLOW N HACKENSACK.
HACKENSACK. HE SAID IF HE HAD TO GO TO THE
HE SAID IF HE HAD TO GO TO THE NUMBER THAT'S SUGGESTED, HE
NUMBER THAT'S SUGGESTED, HE HASN'T GOT THE MONEY.
HASN'T GOT THE MONEY. HE WOULD CLOSE.
HE WOULD CLOSE. I DON'T THINK HE WAS KIDDING.
I DON'T THINK HE WAS KIDDING. HE HAS GOT A DOZEN EMPLOYEES.
HE HAS GOT A DOZEN EMPLOYEES. THERE'S NO MARGIN.
THERE'S NO MARGIN. HE CAN'T RAISE HIS HAMBURGERS A
HE CAN'T RAISE HIS HAMBURGERS A DOLLAR TO RAISE THE MONEY FROM.
DOLLAR TO RAISE THE MONEY FROM. SO IF THE ISSUE IS YOU WANT TO
SO IF THE ISSUE IS YOU WANT TO HELP -- THERE'S DIFFERENT
HELP -- THERE'S DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE EARNING
CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE EARNING MINIMUM WAGE.
MINIMUM WAGE. SOME OF THEM ARE STUDENTS
SOME OF THEM ARE STUDENTS GETTING A TRAINING WAGE.
GETTING A TRAINING WAGE. THEY HAVE A JOB THAT THEY DON'T
THEY HAVE A JOB THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO STAY IN VERY LONG.
WANT TO STAY IN VERY LONG. THEY GET WORKED UP AND SOME OF
THEY GET WORKED UP AND SOME OF THE TEENS IN PARTICULAR, YOU
THE TEENS IN PARTICULAR, YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL HOW YOU TAKE
HAVE TO BE CAREFUL HOW YOU TAKE AWAY THE LOW PAY OPPORTUNITIES,
AWAY THE LOW PAY OPPORTUNITIES, AND HAVE SOMETHING TO DO IN THE
AND HAVE SOMETHING TO DO IN THE SUMMER.
SUMMER. PLEASE GET A JOB DOING ANYTHING.
PLEASE GET A JOB DOING ANYTHING. >> THE MARKET PRESSURE IS
>> THE MARKET PRESSURE IS PUSHED.
PUSHED. TODAY'S PAPER THE GAP IS GOING
TODAY'S PAPER THE GAP IS GOING TO MAKE $10 MIMIMUM WAGE.
TO MAKE $10 MIMIMUM WAGE. AT MY CLINIC, NOBODY WILL WORK
AT MY CLINIC, NOBODY WILL WORK FOR LESS THAN $10 AN HOUR.
FOR LESS THAN $10 AN HOUR. SO I JUST WANT TO CAUTION PEOPLE
SO I JUST WANT TO CAUTION PEOPLE AS WE GO INTO THISxNWELL INTENDD
AS WE GO INTO THISxNWELL INTENDD THING THAT EVERY GOOD THING MAY
THING THAT EVERY GOOD THING MAY HAVE AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE.
HAVE AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE. THEY SAID A MILLION JOBS WILL BE
THEY SAID A MILLION JOBS WILL BE LOST.
LOST. IF THOSE ARE A MILLION JOBS FROM
IF THOSE ARE A MILLION JOBS FROM THE KIDS AND TRAINING WAGE AND
THE KIDS AND TRAINING WAGE AND THE TEENS AND WIND UP NOT HAVING
THE TEENS AND WIND UP NOT HAVING A JOB AND NOW THEY HAVE TO HANG
A JOB AND NOW THEY HAVE TO HANG AROUND ALL SUMMER AND GET IN
AROUND ALL SUMMER AND GET IN TROUBLE, THAT MIGHT BE A PRICE
TROUBLE, THAT MIGHT BE A PRICE YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY.
YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY. YOU HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS.
YOU HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS. >> THIS IS SOMETHING I SPENT A
>> THIS IS SOMETHING I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT TODAY,
LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT TODAY, BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO HAVE DONE
BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO HAVE DONE INTERVIEWS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
INTERVIEWS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. I DON'T DOUBT FOR ONE SECOND,
I DON'T DOUBT FOR ONE SECOND, REPRESENTATIVE ABELER THAT YOU
REPRESENTATIVE ABELER THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU
CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT AND EVERYONE YOU MEET
REPRESENT AND EVERYONE YOU MEET AND WELL KNOWN AS BEING A GREAT
AND WELL KNOWN AS BEING A GREAT GUY.
GUY. BUT I THINK THE POLICIES DO
BUT I THINK THE POLICIES DO MATTER.
MATTER. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN RE A
WHAT WE HAVE SEEN RE A SEPARATION BETWEEN WAGES AND
SEPARATION BETWEEN WAGES AND PRODUCTIVITY, AND THAT'S BEEN
PRODUCTIVITY, AND THAT'S BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO THE PEOPLE IN THE
DETRIMENTAL TO THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE.
STATE. THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.
THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THERE ARE
WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE PEOPLE AT THE
ALWAYS GOING TO BE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ECONOMIC SCALE,
BOTTOM OF THE ECONOMIC SCALE, AND THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE
AND THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE VALUE THEIR TIME?
VALUE THEIR TIME? HOW DO WE VALUE THEIR LABOR?
HOW DO WE VALUE THEIR LABOR? WE CAN GIVE THEM JOB TRAINING
WE CAN GIVE THEM JOB TRAINING BECAUSE SOMEONE ALSO IS GOING TO
BECAUSE SOMEONE ALSO IS GOING TO FILL THE JOB THEY LEFT AT.
FILL THE JOB THEY LEFT AT. WE STILL HAVE TO CONSIDER THEM.
WE STILL HAVE TO CONSIDER THEM. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION,
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION, SENATOR BENSON YOU TALKED ABOUT
SENATOR BENSON YOU TALKED ABOUT THE LIFE GUARDS, IF THEY HAD TWO
THE LIFE GUARDS, IF THEY HAD TWO LIFE GUARDS ON A DAY, AND PAID
LIFE GUARDS ON A DAY, AND PAID THEM A DOLLAR AN HOUR A MORE AT
THEM A DOLLAR AN HOUR A MORE AT 10.25 AN HOUR OVER THE COURSE OF
10.25 AN HOUR OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEK, THEY WOULD PAY AN
A WEEK, THEY WOULD PAY AN ADDITIONAL $112, AND I THINK THE
ADDITIONAL $112, AND I THINK THE YMCA IS CAPABLE OF PAYING $112 A
YMCA IS CAPABLE OF PAYING $112 A WEEK, WHETHER THEY HAVE TO RAISE
WEEK, WHETHER THEY HAVE TO RAISE MEMBERSHIP DUES A DOLLAR PER
MEMBERSHIP DUES A DOLLAR PER MEMBER OR WHATEVER IT IS.
MEMBER OR WHATEVER IT IS. LOW PRICES SHOULD BE PREDICATED
LOW PRICES SHOULD BE PREDICATED ON THE LOW WAGES THAT WE PAY
ON THE LOW WAGES THAT WE PAY PEOPLE.
PEOPLE. I CAN'T ACCEPT THAT.
I CAN'T ACCEPT THAT. IF YOU LOOK AT A GROCERY STORE
IF YOU LOOK AT A GROCERY STORE AND WHAT'S HAPPENED, 20 YEARS
AND WHAT'S HAPPENED, 20 YEARS AGO, YOU USED TO HAVE SOMEBODY
AGO, YOU USED TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT WOULD BAG YOUR GROCERIES
THAT WOULD BAG YOUR GROCERIES AND CHECK YOU OUT, AND NOW IF
AND CHECK YOU OUT, AND NOW IF YOU LOOK AT -- YOU HAVE GOT A
YOU LOOK AT -- YOU HAVE GOT A BAY WITH FOUR SELF CHECK-OUTS
BAY WITH FOUR SELF CHECK-OUTS AND ONE PERSON IS STANDING IN
AND ONE PERSON IS STANDING IN THE MIDDLE.
THE MIDDLE. WHY ISN'T THAT PERSON
WHY ISN'T THAT PERSON EXPERIENCING THE GROWTH AND
EXPERIENCING THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY.
PRODUCTIVITY. THEY ARE GETTING PAID STAGNANT
THEY ARE GETTING PAID STAGNANT WAGES.
WAGES. THAT'S THE ISSUE FOR ME.
THAT'S THE ISSUE FOR ME. 70 LEADING U.S. ECONOMISTS CAME
70 LEADING U.S. ECONOMISTS CAME OUT AND SAID THE WEIGHT OF THE
OUT AND SAID THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS IS
EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS IS NEGLIGIBLE IMPACT ON JOBS, AND
NEGLIGIBLE IMPACT ON JOBS, AND IF THERE IS A STIMULUS EFFECT IN
IF THERE IS A STIMULUS EFFECT IN LOCAL ECONOMY FROM PAYING THOSE
LOCAL ECONOMY FROM PAYING THOSE PEOPLE MORE.
PEOPLE MORE. WHILE THE GENTLEMAN UP IN
WHILE THE GENTLEMAN UP IN HACKENSACK MAY HAVE TO PAY MORE,
HACKENSACK MAY HAVE TO PAY MORE, I THINK THEY CAN THAN JOY A
I THINK THEY CAN THAN JOY A HAMBURGER AS WELL.
HAMBURGER AS WELL. I THINK IT SHOULD BE 9.50 AND
I THINK IT SHOULD BE 9.50 AND NOT A CENT LESS.
NOT A CENT LESS. >> AND FOR SWIMMING LESSONS
>> AND FOR SWIMMING LESSONS THERE'S MORE THAN THAT.
THERE'S MORE THAN THAT. SO YOUR MATH MIGHT WORK BUT THE
SO YOUR MATH MIGHT WORK BUT THE QUESTION IS WHO GETS TO MAKE
QUESTION IS WHO GETS TO MAKE THAT CHOICE.
THAT CHOICE. SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE DICTATE
SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE DICTATE TO THE YMCA THAT THEY MUST
TO THE YMCA THAT THEY MUST BUMP -- IF YOU HAVE MINIMUM WAGE
BUMP -- IF YOU HAVE MINIMUM WAGE AT 7.25 AND BUMP TO 9.50, THE
AT 7.25 AND BUMP TO 9.50, THE LIFE GO UP MUCH MORE THAN A
LIFE GO UP MUCH MORE THAN A DOLLAR.
DOLLAR. THEY GO UP $2.25.
THEY GO UP $2.25. BECAUSE IF A PERSON BUSSING
BECAUSE IF A PERSON BUSSING TABLES HAS THE SAME RELATIVE
TABLES HAS THE SAME RELATIVE VALUE AS SOMEONE WHO IS TRAINED
VALUE AS SOMEONE WHO IS TRAINED TO SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVE AND
TO SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVE AND ADMINISTER CPR AND DEAL WITH
ADMINISTER CPR AND DEAL WITH EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, THOSE
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, THOSE PEOPLE GET A BUMP.
PEOPLE GET A BUMP. IT'S TO CONTINUALLY BMP UP WAGES
IT'S TO CONTINUALLY BMP UP WAGES THROUGH THE ECONOMY.
THROUGH THE ECONOMY. IT'S A REAL IMPACT AND RARELY
IT'S A REAL IMPACT AND RARELY CALCULATED IN.
CALCULATED IN. SMALL INCREMENTAL STEMS ARE MUCH
SMALL INCREMENTAL STEMS ARE MUCH MORE PALATABLE FOR BUSINESSES.
MORE PALATABLE FOR BUSINESSES. TAKING A LEAP TO 9.50 IS GOING
TAKING A LEAP TO 9.50 IS GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO A LOT OF
TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO A LOT OF THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES IN
THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES IN HACKENSACK AND GREATER
HACKENSACK AND GREATER MINNESOTA.
MINNESOTA. >> 9.50 BY 2015.
>> 9.50 BY 2015. MINIMUM WAGE HAS BEEN RAISED
MINIMUM WAGE HAS BEEN RAISED DOZENS OF TIMES SINCE THE
DOZENS OF TIMES SINCE THE 1950s AND THERE'S A WEIGHT OF
1950s AND THERE'S A WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTS THAT
EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTS THAT THERE'S A NEGLIGIBLE IMPACT ON
THERE'S A NEGLIGIBLE IMPACT ON JOBS AND BENEFICIARY IMPACT ON
JOBS AND BENEFICIARY IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF PEOPLE MAKING THE
THE LIVES OF PEOPLE MAKING THE ADDITIONAL WAGES.
ADDITIONAL WAGES. NUMBERS ASSUME THERE WERE TWO
NUMBERS ASSUME THERE WERE TWO LIFE GUARDS PER DAY.
LIFE GUARDS PER DAY. THE BOTTOM LINE IS NOT EVERY
THE BOTTOM LINE IS NOT EVERY COMMODITY AND NOT EVERY SERVICE
COMMODITY AND NOT EVERY SERVICE RELIES ON MINIMUM WAGE
RELIES ON MINIMUM WAGE EMPLOYEES.
EMPLOYEES. THERE'S NOT A TOTAL INFLATIONARY
THERE'S NOT A TOTAL INFLATIONARY IMPACT ON THAT BECAUSE NOT
IMPACT ON THAT BECAUSE NOT EVERYTHING RELIES ON MINIMUM
EVERYTHING RELIES ON MINIMUM WAGE SERVICES.
WAGE SERVICES. >> I RESPECT YOUR CONCERNS WITH
>> I RESPECT YOUR CONCERNS WITH HOW FAR WE GO AND HOW FAST WE
HOW FAR WE GO AND HOW FAST WE GET THERE, BUT I THINK THE
GET THERE, BUT I THINK THE CONCERN I HAVE HEARD TODAY
CONCERN I HAVE HEARD TODAY SPEAKS TO AN EFFORT TO MAYBE
SPEAKS TO AN EFFORT TO MAYBE INDEX THE MINIMUM WAGE AND
INDEX THE MINIMUM WAGE AND PROVIDE SOME CERTAINTY FOR
PROVIDE SOME CERTAINTY FOR EMPLOYERS AND FOR LABORERS IN
EMPLOYERS AND FOR LABORERS IN MINNESOTA'S ECONONY THAT WE ARE
MINNESOTA'S ECONONY THAT WE ARE IN A SLOW GROWTH CURVE MOVING
IN A SLOW GROWTH CURVE MOVING FORWARD, AND IF YOU ARE GOING TO
FORWARD, AND IF YOU ARE GOING TO WORK HARD IN MINNESOTA, YOU ARE
WORK HARD IN MINNESOTA, YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RAISE A
GOING TO BE ABLE TO RAISE A FAMILY AND GET BY.
FAMILY AND GET BY. WE NEED TO INVEST IN EDUCATION,
WE NEED TO INVEST IN EDUCATION, AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE
AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE 211th FOt
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE 211th FOt CENTURY.
CENTURY. I DON'T THINK THE FACT THAT WE
I DON'T THINK THE FACT THAT WE HAVE FAILED TO RAISE THE MINIMUM
HAVE FAILED TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE IN THE PAST SHOULD KEEP US
WAGE IN THE PAST SHOULD KEEP US FROM DOING WHAT'S RIGHT IN 2014.
FROM DOING WHAT'S RIGHT IN 2014. >> LET'S MOVE ON.
>> LET'S MOVE ON. WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK
WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE MINIMUM