Increase in Minimum Wage May Cause Employers to Scale Back
By: Bill Palmer
Updated: February 13, 2013
February 13th, 2013
The State of the Union address from President Obama hit hot topic issues among many Americans.
A lot of the talk today was about the proposal to raise the minimum wage.
President Obama talked about spending cuts, jobs, the economy, immigration as well as increasing minimum wage.
Obama says the increase would top off minimum wage at 9 dollars an hour.
About 15 million workers would get that raise.
Jake Rouch from the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership says that could hurt local businesses.
If the minimum wage is increased, Rouch says it could cause employers to scale back employment or put off hiring.
Officials from one of the area's largest employers, Scott Enterprises, say it would impact them as they employ 2,500 employees, about 50 percent of those are hourly.
President of Scott Enterprises, Nick Scott Senior is in favor of the increase, but says during a tough economic time it can be a challenge.
At 40 hours per week, 52 weeks a year, employees make about 15 thousand dollars under the current minimum wage.
The State of the Union address from President Obama hit hot topic issues among many Americans.
A lot of the talk today was about the proposal to raise the minimum wage.
President Obama talked about spending cuts, jobs, the economy, immigration as well as increasing minimum wage.
Obama says the increase would top off minimum wage at 9 dollars an hour.
About 15 million workers would get that raise.
Jake Rouch from the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership says that could hurt local businesses.
If the minimum wage is increased, Rouch says it could cause employers to scale back employment or put off hiring.
Officials from one of the area's largest employers, Scott Enterprises, say it would impact them as they employ 2,500 employees, about 50 percent of those are hourly.
President of Scott Enterprises, Nick Scott Senior is in favor of the increase, but says during a tough economic time it can be a challenge.
At 40 hours per week, 52 weeks a year, employees make about 15 thousand dollars under the current minimum wage.
Comments
Please ask Jake Rouch how much he makes. Ask him to live on $15K a year ! His organization apparently doesn't see the American Worker as part of their so-called Growth Partnership.
As for Nick Scott's business being impacted%u2026 I'm sure he drops more than an increase would be in just one season of fuel for his yacht. I used to admire him for his success but now I see that Mr. Scott seems to aspire to being that "one percent" who makes his money on the backs of these poor people who make $7.50 an hour%u2026 I challenge him to live on $15,000 a year! Shame on these guys - they are a large part of the reason this country and especially this city are in the sad condition that they are. God help America!
Vincent V.
February 13, 2013 at 10:39 pm
Please ask Jake Rouch how much he makes. Ask him to live on $15K a year ! His organization apparently doesn't see the American Worker as part of their so-called Growth Partnership.
As for Nick Scott's business being impacted%u2026 I'm sure he drops more than an increase would be in just one season of fuel for his yacht. I used to admire him for his success but now I see that Mr. Scott seems to aspire to being that "one percent" who makes his money on the backs of these poor people who make $7.50 an hour%u2026 I challenge him to live on $15,000 a year! Shame on these guys - they are a large part of the reason this country and especially this city are in the sad condition that they are. God help America!
Vincent V.
February 13, 2013 at 10:27 pm
