FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Eileen Kelly
February 28, 2011 603-271-2136
House Democrats Support New Hampshire Workers and Raising the Minimum Wage
Concord, NH - Tomorrow, March 1st, the House Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services Committee will vote on legislation that would benefit New Hampshire workers. Two bills, relative to the minimum wage, could have a dramatic impact on struggling Granite State families and provide much needed relief to help them make ends meet.
The Democratic sponsored HB 560 would increase the minimum wage by $0.75 per hour. Its Republican sponsored counterpart, HB133, would change state law to keep New Hampshire's minimum wage at the lowest level allowed by federal law.
"Finally, a committee will have a vote on two bills that directly affect New Hampshire's economy and people struggling to find jobs," said House Democratic Leader Terie Norelli. "I am urging the Labor Committee members of both parties to pass HB560, raising wages for giving hard working New Hampshire citizens, and to vote against the regressive HB 133."
In 2007, a study conducted by the University of New Hampshire found that approximately 32,000 New Hampshire workers earned close to the minimum wage and about half of those citizens - 15,000 Granite Staters, had children. Additionally, they found that two thirds of those workers were women, despite the fact that women make up less than half of the entire New Hampshire workforce.
"It is about time the House started passing legislation like HB 560, which will have a direct positive impact on families and local economies," continued Norelli. "People earning minimum wage don't have a lot of disposable income. Usually everything they earn goes right back into local communities, creating jobs and helping small businesses."
A New Hampshire resident working full time at the state minimum wage currently earns only slightly more than $15,000.00 per year, very close to the federal poverty level. Most of their income is spent immediately and every dollar they spend circulates on average eight times in the local economy.
"Fundamentally, this legislation is about supporting local businesses and New Hampshire workers," said Representative Jeff Goley of Manchester, a former Chair of the Committee. "All of New Hampshire's representatives should be supporting our friends and neighbors who are struggling, helping them get back on their feet."
"I will be voting to pass HB560 tomorrow, and I urge all my colleagues on the House Labor Committee who are concerned with creating jobs to do the same," added Goley.
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