Congress will soon consider a boost in the minimum wage. An impetus has been the recent increases by several states in their minimum wages. The U.S. Department of Labor said on Friday that it would raise its hourly wage to $10.10 from $7.25 next year. States with high minimum wage typically have low levels of unemployment and high cost of living. Some states have wage minimums much lower than the present national standard. A Chamber of Commerce spokesman says that states are in a better position to set minimum standards since the amount paid to a worker is determined by local supply and demand.
Congress will soon consider a boost in the minimum wage. An impetus has been the recent increases by several states in their minimum wages. No state now has a minimum as high as the proposed national standard of $5.05. States with high minimum wage typically have low levels of unemployment and high cost of living. Some states have wage minimums much lower than the present national standard. A Chamber of Commerce spokesman says that states are in a better position to set minimum standards since the amount paid to a worker is determined by local supply and demand.