Question:
Dear Delegate Michael D.
Smigiel, Sr.,
No one can live on an hourly
wage of $5.15/hour. NO ONE! I strongly urge you override Gov.
Ehrlich's veto of the bill to raise the minimum wage offered
by Sen. President Mike Miller (SB 89) and Del. Dereck Davis (HB
391). This common sense legislation combats growing poverty in
Maryland by raising the minimum wage in our state from the
current shameful federal level of $5.15 per hour to $6.15 per
hour. It doesn't go far enough, but its an important first
step. If we raise the minimum wage, Maryland would follow
the lead of dozens of localities and 15 states around the
nation, all of which set the minimum wage higher than the
federal level. Will you vote to override? I look forward to
your written response.
Sincerely,
Laurie H. Hogans,
5961 Rock Hall
RoadRock Hall, MD 21661
Answer:
Dear Ms. Hogans, I voted
against the increase in minimum wage for a number of reasons,
not the least of which is that the free market system is
working and even most starter jobs are now paying over minimum
wage due to market pressures. I do not believe that there are
many people who are trying to make a living and support a
family off a minimum wage job. I believe the vast majority of
those working for minimum wage are young men and women
entering the work force or those working part time who are
learning the responsibilities of being an employee. I see
these first jobs as the first rung on the ladder of success.
If we arbitrarily determine what must be paid to those
starting out, it will only result in less young men and women
getting that initial opportunity to show what they can do. A
business owner only has so many dollars set aside for payroll.
Passing a law saying you must pay each individual more gives
the business owner two choices: raise cost to the consumer
(thus adding to inflation and making the beginning employee's
starting wage worth less from the time he gets it) or to cut
back on the number of employees (decreasing the number of
young men and women who will get an opportunity in the first
place) and thus increasing the workload of those who are given
the opportunity to begin the climb up the corporate ladder.
It is understood that you may disagree with my economic model
but until someone explains to me why it is untrue, I will
continue to oppose voting to increase the minimum wage and
instead trust that capitalism and free enterprise shall
continue to require businesses to offer more than the minimum
wage in order to attract labor. Hopefully this answers
your questions on how I voted as well. I do thank you for
taking the time to write about your concerns. I can tell from
the tone of your e-mail that you are legitimately concerned
about the issue. I just respectfully disagree with you on the
method to be followed to offer greater economic opportunity to
those trying to make a living. If I can ever answer any
additional questions, please ask.
Yours in Public Service,
Michael D. Smigiel, Sr.
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