Indiana Public Media: Democrats Renew Calls For Higher Minimum Wage Amid Hiring Woes
“The Republican Party is not respectful of the hardworking Hoosiers we know across our state who are paid wages that are far below what their work deserves” – Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today called on elected members of the Indiana Republican Party to join Democrats in an effort to address the state’s worker shortage by increasing the state’s minimum wage and passing President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan. These common-sense policy proposals address what economists and recent studies have revealed for far too long: state leaders are delivering low-wage jobs to workers while “good jobs” continue to leave Indiana. This very fact is why 892,000 Hoosiers make under $15.00 an hour and are unable to make ends meet for their families.
The Indiana Republican Party – led by Governor Eric Holcomb – is standing in the way of delivering higher wages and better opportunities for Hoosier families. Last session, the Republican supermajority at the statehouse refused to hold a hearing on a proposed increase to the minimum wage. Further, Republicans within Indiana’s Congressional delegation have made clear they intend to oppose the upcoming American Jobs Plan and the chance to responsibly rebuild Indiana’s infrastructure system – which includes eliminating childcare deserts, revitalizing the VA system for veterans, and strengthening unions. It’s this kind of extreme partisanship from the INGOP that will set Indiana back from reaching its full potential now and in the future.
Indiana Democrats are ready to deliver a brightening future for Hoosier workers, and this is what Hoosiers saw in the news overnight on this effort:
NWI Times: Senate Democrats urge Indiana businesses to raise pay to attract workers
“Senate Democrats have a message for Indiana business owners struggling to find workers to fill open positions — pay more money.”
“‘The Republican Party is not respectful of the hardworking Hoosiers we know across our state who are paid wages that are far below what their work deserves,’ said Senate Democratic Leader Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis.”
Indiana Public Media: Democrats Renew Calls For Higher Minimum Wage Amid Hiring Woes
“Now Democrats are echoing economists in saying that low-wage jobs – not necessarily unemployment benefits – are causing workers to stay at home.”
Fox59 (Indianapolis): Indiana Democrats continue push for increased minimum wage
WIBC: Democrats Renew Call for Minimum Wage Hike As Employers Struggle to Fill Jobs
“Indiana Senate Democrats argue a boost in the minimum wage is the answer to a shortage of workers.
“The proposal didn’t get a hearing, but legislators technically haven’t adjourned — they’ll return at some point to deal with redistricting. Democrats say while they’re at it, they should revive the minimum wage proposal too. Melton argues at a minimum, legislators should repeal a ban on cities and counties setting their own, higher wage floors.
The wage debate has flared again in recent weeks as employers say they can’t find enough workers to rebuild their staffs…” […]
“Indiana has lost jobs the last two months, even as fewer Hoosiers received unemployment checks. Democrats contend the problem is employers aren’t paying enough.”
“Senate Democrats are also calling on Congress to pass Biden’s infrastructure bill. Biden has endorsed a national $15 minimum wage and has made it the minimum for federal contractors, but it’s not part of the infrastructure bill. The bill does call for the local prevailing wage for workers on projects funded by the plan.“
95.3 MNC: Dems: Boosting minimum wage is answer to shortage of workers
WISH (Indianapolis): Senate Dems renew call to raise Indiana’s minimum wage to $15 an hour
WAVE (Louisville): Indiana’s minimum wage is unlivable, lawmakers argue
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