Why doesn't the Federal Minimum Wage increase yearly in relationship with the increase in cost of living?
480138
Republicans have never ever increased minimum wage, and I don't look for that to change any time soon. That's the whole purpose of their politics. High inflation and very low wages. So how do you like Republicans now, it took America 5 years of the Clinton Administration to pay back the costs of George Bush seniors Presidency. That was the purpose of balancing the budget to bring interests rates down and deflate the cost of the dollar. Republicans hate that; because they would rather do nothing and make fortunes by just raising the inflation rate Example: Gasoline which effects ever thing else, or say cigarettes or Alcohol. It's false inflation caused by them.
1018850
Unfortunately there is no way to really fix this problem. If you increase the minimum wage, the prices of everything else would go up. It will most likely cause more out sourcing of good jobs, and leave the people who are making minimum wage in worse shape than they already are.  Minimum wage is really not intended for somebody to be able to live and support a family off of. \nIn a capitalistic society, there will always be rich people and poor people, there is no way around that. \nThere is a form of government that regulates every body's wages, provides everything for its citizens, and treats everybody equally. It is called communism. Ask anybody from the former Soviet Union or Cuba how that works out.
1084970
$3000 a year, next they are going to take up the minimum wage. They do not think there is enough support for that to pass. Ever wonder why I don't like repukes? Last mininum wage raise was 10 years ago. Sad but true.
742133
Calculated in today's $$, the minimum wage was about $6.13 in 1950. In 1968, in today's dollars it was $9.12. That is not what they actually made, but the equivalent amount today. Check this link...\nhttp://oregonstate.edu/instruct/anth484/minwage.html\n\nThe minimum wage was first set in 1938\n\n"A federal minimum wage was first set in 1938..." \nPlease follow the link that was in my answer and in my source and save your "!" ... now what is the source for YOUR statement, Sir?
835413
Depends where you live here is the breakdown by state:\n\nFederal Minimum Wage Law Level $5.15 \n\nAlabama No minimum wage. \nAlaska $7.15 Automatically adjusted to remain one dollar over federal minimum wage should that change. \nArizona No minimum wage. Increasing to $6.75 effective January 1, 2007 pursuant to Arizona Proposition 202.\nArkansas $6.25 \nCalifornia $6.75 Increasing to $7.50 on January 1, 2007 and to $8.00 on January 1, 2008. [1] \nSan Francisco $8.82 \nLos Angeles $9.08 With health benefits[2] \n$10.33 Without health benefits[2] \nColorado $5.15 Increasing to $6.85 on January 1, 2007. \nConnecticut $7.40 Increasing to $7.65 on January 1, 2007. \nDelaware $6.15 $6.65 increase in 2007, $7.15 increase in 2008. [3] \nDistrict of Columbia $7.00 Increased on January 1, 2006. \nFlorida $6.67 Rises with inflation. \nGeorgia $5.15 \nHawaii $6.75 Rising to $7.25 effective January 1, 2007 \nIdaho $5.15 \nIllinois $6.50 $6.00 for employees under the age of 18 \nIndiana $5.15 \nIowa $5.15 \nKansas $2.65 For employees over the age of 18 (applies only when the federal Fair Labor Standards Act does not). $5.15 federal minimum wage takes precedence, overriding the state minimum. \nKentucky $5.15 \nLouisiana No minimum wage. \nMaine $6.75 Will rise to $7.00 in October, 2007 \nMaryland $6.15 \nMassachusetts $6.75 ($2.63 for service (tipped) employees, $1.60 for agricultural employees; legislature passed increase to $7.50 starting January 1, 2007 and to $8.00 January 1, 2008)[4] \nMichigan $6.95 Increasing to $7.15 July 1, 2007 and to $7.40 July 1, 2008 \nMinnesota $6.15 \nMississippi No minimum wage. \nMissouri $5.15 Increasing to $6.50 on January 1, 2007. \nMontana $5.15 Increasing to $6.15 on January 1, 2007. \nNebraska $5.15 \nNevada $5.15 Increasing to $6.15 on January 1, 2007. \nNew Hampshire $5.15 \nNew Jersey $7.15 \nNew Mexico $5.15 $9.50 in Santa Fe, as of 2006 \nNew York $6.75 Increasing to $7.15 on January 1, 2007 [1] \nNorth Carolina $5.15 Increasing to $6.15 on January 1, 2007 \nNorth Dakota $5.15 \nOhio $5.15 Increasing to $6.85 on January 1, 2007\nOklahoma $5.15\nOregon $7.50 Adjusting to $7.80 on January, 1st 2007 \nPennsylvania $5.15 (Per act signed into law July 10, 2006, this will increase to $6.25 on January 1, 2007 and to $7.15 on July 1, 2007. For companies with ten or fewer employees: $5.65 by January 1, 2007, $6.65 by July 1, 2007, and $7.15 by July 1, 2008. The current tipped wage, $2.83, will not increase with this Act\nRhode Island $7.10 \nSouth Carolina $5.15 \nSouth Dakota $5.15 \nTennessee No minimum wage. \nTexas $5.15 \nUtah $5.15 \nVermont $7.25 \nVirginia $5.15 \nWashington $7.63 Increasing to $7.93 effective January 1, 2007\nWest Virginia $5.85 Increasing to $6.55 effective 7/1/07 and $7.25 effective 7/1/08 \nWisconsin $6.50 \nWyoming $5.15
1171082
Yea, they voted down the minimum wage increase, which hasn't been raised in a decade, and effectively gives a person $466.00 a month to "live" on, while they get a $3,400 raise. Nice of them since almost all are millionaires!\n\nAnd Congress wants to give more of their power away\nand give bush a line item veto!! ARE THEY NUTS??\n\nWhy do we need a Congress? Bush can submit his own budget and sign it.\n\nCan you imagine the thought of being a state that voted against Bush??
290926
The cost-of-living tends to increase the closer one gets to the oceans, and in urban areas. Cities bordering the ocean tend to be particularly high. New York or California would likely be at the top of such a list. \n\nYou may want to check out the cost-of-living wizard at salary.com
867552
harsh way of raising the question.\n\nI think it is a given that Bush will veto a minimum wage increase, unless it is tied somehow to a bill that gives pork to his corporate friends. Politics as usual.
334947
At one time I managed a restaurant that was part of a nation wide chain of restaurants and I had the Regional Director explain the process to me. When Congress passes a law raising the minimum wage, companies raise their prices to cover the increase in paying the employees. They usually raise them well before the date so that when the increase in the minimum wage takes place the company will have a reserve of cash. Now if the minimum wage increase is small enough some companies will not change their prices as it isn't' cost effective to change every store, computer programs, and paperwork.
56082
Last time they did it, before it was even put into action, grocery prices immediately jumped.  Those who made minimum wage spent the extra on groceries.  Middle class people on a salary had to bite the bullet and pay more.  Miminum wage jobs aren't for making a living--they are for a second income or teenagers or college students.  Raising minimum wage won't improve the plight of those with minumum wage jobs.
438990
It is very unlikely that an increase in minimum wage would create employment growth.  Labor is subject to the same supply and demand equation as any other commodity.  Raise the price of labor, lower the demand.  One would ordinarily expect an increase in minimum wage to result in a decrease in employment, especially among the least paid workers.
832897
Even most conservatives I know realize that minimum wage is pretty much ALREADY raised.  To many conservatives, its nothing more than an ideological issue for them to pretend it would "cause unemployment, inflation" etc when largely it would do very little considering most employers already ignore the minimum wage.\n\nHowever, when it is raised, and it will be, it needs to be indexed so that it doesn't fall behind like it did this time.  While the minimum wage did get adjusted by economics for most people, its taken far too long and people suffered in poverty needlessly because Congress just didn't give a ****.\n\nAs for the geologist cracks, Republicans are naturally condescending.  If you don't support them, you are a do-nothing welfare loser.  If you do, you can be a drug addict, Rush Limbaugh, or both...and they will praise you!
187138
they are trying to get minimum wage changed, but it is by state.  a lot of states are trying to raise minimum wage to $6 (right now, in my state, it's $5.15).  your state has to pass the bill before it will go up, though.
632965
there are not any. Only the Federal minimum wage. Annual increases are up to the company. I have also learned this the hard way...get it in writing when they promise you !!!
1048314
Because U picked the WRONG person as president!\n\nhe doesn't want minimum wage to go up! last increase was made like 7 yrs ago (I think Clinton did, but not sure). There was a proposal of minimum wage increase few weeks ago but it's rejected!
698925
This is a difficult question... \nFirst min. Wage was enacted to be a living wage which it was at first. If it had kept up with inflation it would be well over $12 an hour( I did an upper level paper on this and I have a degree in Labor studies) The problem is while the cost of labor has really only risen a small percentage the cost of the same goods that could be obtained with that salary is now out of reach. so min wage needs to be raised.    Min. Wage is supposed to be a living wage and can be raised by individual states the Federal government just sets a rock bottom minimum.\n$5-6 dollar an hour jobs cannot support an economy.... It is kind of a snow ball effect.. .\nThe problem is people skilled or unskilled are fighting over any jobs that pay a living wage... There should be  a salary gap for skilled workers but our economy is leaning the other direction.
147488
It was as of January 1. Medicare increased but so did the income. Maybe you just didn't notice it.