CONTACT

Steven Carter

Communications Director

601.948.5191

steven@msgop.org

HOUSE DEMS THREAT TO ECONOMIC GROWTH

Jackson, Miss. – House Democrats are pushing a bill that would raise the minimum wage by two dollars over the next year . House Bill 237 was passed Tuesday night then held for consideration. Dems are considering adding an amendment that would exempt high school and college students. “Raising everyone’s wages is a great idea in theory, but they need to think this through,” stressed Chairman Jim Herring. “The passing of HB 237 could potentially drive away jobs and adversely affect our economic development.”

The bill would allow the minimum raise to increase to $6.25 in July and to $7.25 in January. It was passed 68-50, a vote which fell mostly on party lines. Once again, this shows how out of touch the Democrats are with the needs of Mississippi. If enacted, this bill could have a negative impact all across the state. Companies who cannot afford to pay more per employee could leave Mississippi for cheaper labor in neighboring states, such as Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana, all of which are set at the federal minimum wage. Companies who are prospecting Mississippi for future company sites will not be inclined to press forward if the Dems’ proposed pay hike happens.

This would mean the loss of many jobs and a huge dent in the economy that Mississippians have worked hard to improve. “This bill would be detrimental to the state of Mississippi,” said Herring. “Mississippi has come a long way, and we want to see our state continue to thrive economically.”

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