Senate passes minimum wage hike.
By on Feb 1st, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Senate passes minimum wage hike.
“Just moments ago, by a resounding vote of 94-3, the United States Senate passed legislation raising the Federal Minimum Wage for the first time in a decade.” Bob Geiger has details on where the legislation goes from here.
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YAY!
Well, it seems that blocking their own raises did the trick…
February 1st, 2007 at 6:04 pmDid the death tax get repealed in the process?
“Twenty Bucks, Same as in Town“, Molly Ivins Edition. I’ve found some nice tributes to Molly, including one VERY irreverent one. ;-)
February 1st, 2007 at 6:05 pmAnd the three who voted against it:
Coburn (R-OK)
DeMint (R-SC)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Theresa
February 1st, 2007 at 6:07 pmIn order to get this passed, the Democratic Senators were forced to agree to 8 billion in business tax breaks, while the House passed it as stand-alone legislation?
8 Billion?
February 1st, 2007 at 6:11 pmOh, goody. A 50% minimum wage increase, just in time for a 300% cost of living increase. Actually, it’s an OK start.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:15 pmWhat a bunch of phonies? If they were really interested in helping the working poor, they would raise the minimum wage to $50.00/ hour. You say that might hurt small business?
February 1st, 2007 at 6:15 pmnothing like keeping skippy down. Let skippy know that he doe not have to earn anything if the government will just give it to him.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:17 pm#4- Is that true?
February 1st, 2007 at 6:18 pmThis would send it on to Bush’s veto pen. That way the republicans don’t look nearly as much like the turds in the punch bowl, they are.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:19 pm#8
Yep
#9
If only it were so. Remember, bills have to be passed by the house AND senate, in the same form.
So now the bill goes to a conference committee made up of house and senate members, they agree on a version, and that version goes to both the house and senate for a vote. Repeat if any amendments are offered by either house or senate.
That’s why this bill will never make it through – the repugs don’t want anything that helps actual Americans – that’d be Anti-American!
February 1st, 2007 at 6:23 pmHow is increasing minimum wage keeping people down Kevin? If someone feels they can earn enough to take care of themselves and their families, doesn’t it encourage them to be good citizens? Contribute their share of taxes, buy homes, etc? How is does not paying them help?
February 1st, 2007 at 6:24 pmI would feel more like celebrating if this had passed as a clean bill, without the damn tax cuts attached to it. Why does legislation go this route, with riders and deal-making?
February 1st, 2007 at 6:24 pmLet the strawman arguments fly, Bush cultists!
February 1st, 2007 at 6:24 pmOooh, I’ve been Johnny Letter on this topic with my Reps!
Thank you, but watch out for that dusty old veto pen. Heh-heh.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:24 pmwhat do you think, are all those republicans who voted for it really for it and were all playing games with the filibuster or are they only afraid of the next election campaign of their opponent?
February 1st, 2007 at 6:29 pmGlad to see John Kyle, my Rep in AZ is holding on to being a major prick.
Not.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:30 pm$8 BILLION in tax cuts?
This is not a victory. This is capitulation.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:32 pmYou ever clean out a grease trap?
You ever wash dishes at a seafood restauarant?
If you have, you will know people should be paid a decent wage for that.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:33 pmSome people will never be happy about anything…
In 2008, we can rescind the tax breaks when we have 67% of Congress to override the Repugs, and a Democratic President who won’t veto.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:46 pmIf you have, you will know people should be paid a decent wage for that.
Comment by ForTruth — February 1, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
I agree. And think that there are very few jobs which don’t deserve a living wage.
No one human being can work than much harder than another to deserve 500x more of a paycheck.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:47 pmI really don’t see the victory here. Not now, but in two years from now, most of the minimum wage earners can expect to earn $2/hour more. In exchange for that, we (you and me) will pay businesses $8 billion dollars. Wouldn’t the wage earners be better off if Congress simply paid $8 Billion directly to the wage earners in two years? And wouldn’t we, the taxpayers, save $820 million over the plan passed today by simply putting $8 billion in the bank for two years and then divvying out the principal?
Yes.
Anyway, why do we have to pay businesses to get them to pay their workers a fair wage? What the hell is the purpose of the Congress if it can’t regulate without bribing the regulated? And how is a tax break to businesses in exchange for anything, a justifiable use of taxpayer money?
February 1st, 2007 at 6:49 pmit figures that DeMented Demint voted against it! lord, i hope there is someone who can run AND win against him when he is up for re-election!
February 1st, 2007 at 6:50 pm8 billion in business tax breaks? I hope it wasn’t all to Exxon like last time.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:50 pmpeg,
February 1st, 2007 at 6:53 pmUnfortunately, none of the 3 who voted against it are up for re-election in ‘08.
I am clocking the lag in here at about TEN MINUTES.
I hate censorship and prior restraint.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:58 pmGood job Senate, now on to the House. F*ck……
8 billion? That’s ridiculous.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:58 pmOn Internet Relay Chat, we measure lag in seconds. Here, I am clocking it in minutes. That is not conducive to a free discussion of the events of the day. Gatekeepers really piss me off.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:02 pm#20 – “No one human being can work than much harder than another to deserve 500x more of a paycheck.”
You seem to think “how hard a person works ” and “how much their job is valued” is the same thing. It’s not. I firmly believe my garbage men physically work harder than the research scientists in labs, judges on the bench, or dentists filling cavities. If your “500x more” were a serious argument, we should next tackle the value of grains of salt and gold dust.
Simply put, there is a larger supply of people able to provide a menial service than those able to compose music, create new inventions or render impartial decisions. There are more people capable of filling menial paying jobs than trained teachers, police or firemen. But there ARE quite a few people able to teach, police and fight fires. Hence, their pay falls in the mid scale. That pesky supply and demand thing…
February 1st, 2007 at 7:10 pmI was a little ticked that the GOP got to cram in those tax breaks UNTIL I recalled the Constitution and how Charlie Rangel has the right to just pull those obnoxious features out. McConnell is such a goofball!
February 1st, 2007 at 7:14 pmIf your “500x more†were a serious argument, we should next tackle the value of grains of salt and gold dust.
Of course it is serious. Go google the salary of the various CEO’s around the country. Then compare to minimum wage.
Simply put, there is a larger supply of people able to provide a menial service than those able to compose music, create new inventions or render impartial decisions.
Tell thefirefighters who show up to put out your burning house this. Or the cops that protect you.
There are more people capable of filling menial paying jobs than trained teachers, police or firemen. But there ARE quite a few people able to teach, police and fight fires. Hence, their pay falls in the mid scale. That pesky supply and demand thing…
Comment by valiant venus — February 1, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
That’s just ridiculous.
You are saying that a CEO is rare? Lawyers are rare? Plastic surgeons are rare? LOL
February 1st, 2007 at 7:16 pmnothing like keeping skippy down. Let skippy know that he doe not have to earn anything if the government will just give it to him.
Comment by Kevin
Its a wage increase not a welfare increase Kevin. 5.15 an hour is legalized poverty. When I was a teen those jobs @ Burger King, Mcdonalds etc were temporary jobs for the high school students.
Today that is for many families it’s main source of income.
Go up north and you will see many retired folks, servicemen and women, forced back to work so they can buy overpriced medications, It’s sad.
Those min wage earners will put in more tax receipts most likely around 8 billion if you figure it up. The wealthy wanted a tax cut and those getting poverty wages have made up the difference. Kevin cries that skippy got a handout when they didn’t. They only shifted some of the tax burden.
Yet this is exactly what Paul and others wanted, but still they whine.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:21 pmYou ever clean out a grease trap at a ski resort, and then go skiing for free?
Yup.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:22 pmThe phonebook here is full of lawyers. Get a speeding ticket and in three days your mailbox will be full of lawyers wanting to take care of your ticket. Talk about ambulance chasers!!
We need more lawyers like we need more wheel chocks.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:23 pmSimply put, there is a larger supply of people able to provide a menial service than those able to compose music, create new inventions or render impartial decisions. There are more people capable of filling menial paying jobs than trained teachers, police or firemen. But there ARE quite a few people able to teach, police and fight fires. Hence, their pay falls in the mid scale. That pesky supply and demand thing…
Comment by valiant venus
To me this is the 50’s mentality of the older generation, who still thinks the the actual insurance agent should be handling claims.
There are way too many now of all these people. Its just too many damned people.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:24 pmVV would make a great chock.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:29 pmIn response to Tom3, comment 24,
I just saw this on raw story.
CNN, MSNBC caught defending Exxon’s profits
*sigh*
February 1st, 2007 at 7:30 pmWe need more lawyers like we need more wheel chocks.
Comment by Holy Kow — February 1, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
Are those worth $100,000 a year too? :D
February 1st, 2007 at 7:30 pmThat pesky supply and demand thing…
My last CEO spent most of his day on Ebay buying old electronic crap after waltzing in the front door at 9 or 10am then taking an hour to two hour lunch.
Useless. Totally useless.
6k a month for him to sit behind a desk and gain weight at a prodigous rate.
Calorism will fix all of this I tell you!! =)
February 1st, 2007 at 7:31 pmDubya’s health plan = Savings accounts.
US Savings rate in 2006 = NEGATIVE 1%.
Dubya running amok in a D-10: Priceless.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:34 pmWe need more lawyers like we need more speed bumps.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:35 pmDubya running amok in a D-10.
You would think since we were at war he would be spending his time at say the Pentagon, but nooooooo Photo-ops are much more important for the ‘War President”
February 1st, 2007 at 7:37 pmWe need more lawyers like we need more wheel chocks.
Comment by Holy Kow
This former lawyer “Zookeeper” agrees, wholeheartedly.
What about using lawyers as wheel chocks. It’s honest work — for a change.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:38 pmDiscussing “supply and demand” with respect to raising the minimum wage is pure obfuscation and that kind of thing is what I expect from those who defend the economic elite.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:38 pmAre those worth $100,000 a year too? :D
Comment by unbelievable
I will be selling the gold plated “Enron” chock as well.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:38 pmIn response to Tom3, comment 24,
February 1st, 2007 at 7:40 pmI just saw this on raw story.
CNN, MSNBC caught
defendingShilling for Exxon’s profits*sigh*
Comment by trueblue
What about using lawyers as wheel chocks. It’s honest work — for a change.
Comment by Zooey
Well instead of chasing the ambulance they will ride with it perhaps =)
February 1st, 2007 at 7:43 pm(kidding)
I hate censorship and prior restraint.
Comment by Tom3
But are you a fan of The Big Lebowski?
February 1st, 2007 at 7:43 pm#31 – Such a poor job comparing labor and the value of a position. And yes, there are more people capable of teaching, policing etc. than are capabale of running Fortune 500 companies, driving Indy cars, writing bestselling murder mysteries, or trying cases. You foolishly move the argument to a lack of appreciation for services which are paid for. Do I appreciate the firefighters, police and techers in my community – absolutely. But there are LOTS of people who can those jobs – and that is the issue you fail to address.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:51 pm“Discussing “supply and demand†with respect to raising the minimum wage is pure obfuscation and that kind of thing is what I expect from those who defend the economic elite.”
Obfuscation? Hardly. But it may seem that way to one who doesn’t understand the theory of supply and demand and that labor is a commodity.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:53 pmWell instead of chasing the ambulance they will ride with it perhaps =)
(kidding)
Comment by Holy Kow
They have friends….
February 1st, 2007 at 8:01 pmHow could I not be a fan of The Dude??
February 1st, 2007 at 8:07 pmBull. The Senate couldn’t put it to a straight vote and they want to give small businesses 8 million…oh sorry 8 billion in tax breaks after they have been getting tax breaks for the past 12 years. F that. This is another crap sandwich though its sold as something for the little guy.
Half ass effort on the Senate’s part if you ask me.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:18 pmSenator Schumer (D-NY) did NOT even vote on this bill. Why not?
February 1st, 2007 at 8:24 pmSurvey: U.S. workplace not family-oriented
Nation lags behind virtually all wealthy countries in work-life balance
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16907584/
2006 Personal Savings Fall to 74-Yr. Low
February 1st, 2007 at 8:25 pmhttp://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/ECONOMY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-02-01-08-56-21
Yes, this $8 billion tax cut IS a shit sandwich.
Didn’t take the Dems long to sell out, did it?
They must have Kool-Aid in the drinking fountains on the Hill.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:29 pm.
Such a poor job comparing labor and the value of a position.
Obviously not, since you can’t seem to refute it and just proffer more insults instead. And not very good ones at that…
You foolishly move the argument to a lack of appreciation for services which are paid for.
Appreciate is your word. I am talking about respect – with a decent wage. You can’t argue that, because it is a fact that a CEO offers less value than a firefighter on most levels, while being paid tremendously more.
Do I appreciate the firefighters, police and techers in my community – absolutely. But there are LOTS of people who can those jobs – and that is the issue you fail to address.
Comment by valiant venus — February 1, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
I disagree that there are a lot of people who can do those jobs. I left corporate america to teach and I will tell you that 1 out of 5 teachers leave within the first 5 years of teaching because it is such a difficult job.
Physically, most people could not be firefighters. I designed a fire station in my previous life and that is a tough job!
So, no, you are incorrect to say that they are easier jobs that nearly anyone can do.
I never heard about CEO’s resigning because the work is soooo demanding.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:46 pmtest
February 1st, 2007 at 8:55 pmWe need more lawyers like we need more speed bumps.
Comment by Tom3
You can always use a lawyer for a speed bump.
They have friends….
Comment by Zooey
Ambulances have 4 wheels. A lawyer under each wheel……
February 1st, 2007 at 8:56 pmCEO’s always have a golden parachute if they resign.
Even if they drove the company into the ground.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:57 pm.
hacker bob,
Is it obvious I’ve gone off lawyers?
February 1st, 2007 at 8:58 pmdo you have some filter on the S-word here?
February 1st, 2007 at 8:59 pmAmbulances these days have dually real wheels.
You could probably fit two more lawyers under there.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:00 pmDo you have some filter on the s word here?
That’s a load of shit.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:01 pmYou could probably fit two more lawyers under there.
Comment by Tom3
Big ones. I know the perfect two…
February 1st, 2007 at 9:02 pmSo, if we raise the minimum wage, Does it not put those people in a higher tax bracket? Isn’t there a slight difference between $10,712
and $15,080 when it comes to taxes? Look at the bigger picture, you have a 2 income family, both at minimum wage. That would take them from a combined $21,424 to $30,160.
So, if we increase their income, do we not also increase their tax liability.? If we increase their tax liability, how do we help them?
February 1st, 2007 at 9:03 pmSo, if we increase their income, do we not also increase their tax liability.? If we increase their tax liability, how do we help them?
Comment by hacker bob — February 1, 2007 @ 9:03 pm
After deductions, according to my 2006 1040 tax chart, no.
You’re talking about a few hundred dollar difference. Not a valid path robert…
February 1st, 2007 at 9:08 pmhacker bob,
People in that range aren’t paying that much in taxes. If they qualify for the earned income credit, they actually get back more than they pay in.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:09 pmUnbelievable, I guess the differences between mental work and physical labor must be confusing for you. Your arrogance is telling. I get the distinct impression you are under the impression you have never been wrong in your life. Au contraire.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:18 pmYou’re talking about a few hundred dollar difference. Not a valid path robert…
Comment by unbelievable
Sorry, I just asked the question. I am not an accountant, but the wife is studying to be one. I am not opposed to an increase in the minimum wage.
And BTW, a $5000 a year raise is not a “few hundred dollars difference”. I wish I could get that much of a raise. Minimum wage, over the next 2 years will increase by 50%. If I am licky, my pay will increase by 6% in the same time period.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:25 pmPeople in that range aren’t paying that much in taxes. If they qualify for the earned income credit, they actually get back more than they pay in.
Comment by Zooey
I know that, I was just asking the question.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:26 pmHaven’t read the posts and don’t have time to stick around long, but…
Hot damn!
February 1st, 2007 at 9:27 pmOh, one more thing…boy the editors at my local paper are going to be pissed tomorrow! They wrote an editorial a few weeks ago against the min. wage.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:34 pmMinimum wage, over the next 2 years will increase by 50%.
If I am licky, my pay will increase by 6% in the same time period.
Comment by hacker bob
Are you starting out from $10,712? Think about trying to raise your family on that.
We’ll have to ask Mrs Robert if you’re “licky.”
February 1st, 2007 at 9:35 pmHeh.
Unbelievable, I guess the differences between mental work and physical labor must be confusing for you.
Not at all. But you can’t keep changing the goal posts every time I score against you.
Your arrogance is telling. I get the distinct impression you are under the impression you have never been wrong in your life. Au contraire.
Comment by valiant venus — February 1, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
Funny how people like you confuse being informed with arrogance… LOL
I have been wrong. Ask my students. Just not this time.
I bet you’re projecting – however. Folks like you always do.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:41 pmAnd BTW, a $5000 a year raise is not a “few hundred dollars differenceâ€.
I didn’t say it was. You said the tax differences. That’s the hundreds.
I wish I could get that much of a raise. Minimum wage, over the next 2 years will increase by 50%. If I am licky, my pay will increase by 6% in the same time period.
Comment by hacker bob — February 1, 2007 @ 9:25 pm
Licky? If you’re gonna make a typo, that’s an interesting one :)
As a fellow undervalued government employee, let’s don’t talk about money…
February 1st, 2007 at 9:43 pmComment by Zooey
Actually, I started off taking care of a family at $8916/year ($4.29/hour), with a wife and one child. In 14 years my pay has increased to $37,000($17.79 with a wife and 3 children. That is including promotions and annual cost of living increases at an average of 3.3%/year. Again, those numbers are based on a 40 hour week and I have no idea what a 40 hour week is anymore. I haven’t worked that little in YEARS. But again, that is after 14 years in the same organization.
I’ll let Mrs Robert answer that question as she sees fit.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:46 pmAs a fellow undervalued government employee, let’s don’t talk about money…
Comment by unbelievable
Why should we talk about something neither of us get enought of. I know you, as a teacher are not paid enough.
Seems all the women are catching the
February 1st, 2007 at 9:53 pmFreudian slip, wonder why?Seems all the women are catching the Freudian slip, wonder why?
Comment by hacker bob
Dude, you threw it out there….you must have wanted someone to notice. Heh.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:57 pmSeems all the women are catching the Freudian slip, wonder why?
Comment by hacker bob — February 1, 2007 @ 9:53 pm
Because we can read? : )
February 1st, 2007 at 10:07 pmwait bob, i thought you’re a military careerist.
i made $15/hr supporting wife and child (oh and two cats), and without the help of my parents wouldhave never made it through those first two years without major major debt
and we were lucky with health care because Mass. has an excellent medicaid program for children (we would have otherwise been without health insurance).
I have a feeling that Bob) you have health insurnce covered under the figures you just gave us.
My wife nowworks, and we maybe put aside $400/month,maybe (until the car breakdown, or the cat gets sick, etc)
yeah, we couldstop buying organic food, but i don’t think it is worth a $100/month to poison myself and family.
Wealth distribution is totally wacked in the U.S., 1% holding 70% of the wealth (or somewhere in that ballpark) – that’s sick
the least that could be done is a clean minimum wage hike, and then give that 8 billion start a universal health care system, or directly to Iraqis who have had a recent death inthe family…..
February 1st, 2007 at 10:13 pm#75 – “Not at all. But you can’t keep changing the goal posts every time I score against you.”
Actually, I was moving the goal posts back to where they started before you went off on a tangent. The argument is the relation of people who work hard (a very subjective term) and people whose work is more monetarily valued. Occasionally these descriptions overlap, at other times they do not. You have not demonstrated knowledge of that difference. Check….mate.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:28 pmWho gets the 8 billion in tax cuts? I bet Wal-Mart and other huge companies get most of it!
February 1st, 2007 at 10:38 pmComment by KarloX
You are right, I am a military careerist. And no, I did not factor insurace, good call. This does not take away from the fact that I support a raise in the minimum wage.
And remember, the minimum wage is going up, and my benefits are going down(they are not related). This has been well documented on this site.
Remember, I based all my numbers on a 40 hour week. I did not factor in 24 hour duty posts, deployment time, field duty, etc. Every year the DOD releases a salary comparison by MOS to civilian occupations. Both job I do pay at least 25% more in the civilian sector.That is after factoring in my benefits.
February 1st, 2007 at 11:03 pmGreat.
Now that all you DummyCrats think you`re rich you can get back on the payroll now already and off of welfare to help pay for this war that Clinton started.
February 1st, 2007 at 11:19 pmComment by numbercruncher
Shut up.
I do not like Clinton, but this one ain’t his, at least not Iraq.
February 1st, 2007 at 11:35 pmThe NSM Woman’s Division would like YOU to attend another of our rallies, you are in luck! We have 5 rallies coming up this summer. I will email you with the particulars. It looks like you have quite a few more posters than you did last year, this ought to bolster our presence in futeure rallies. Please try to spread the word to your posters and your staff that you are welcome to attend our rallies with open arms at anytime you so desire. Our hospitality during demonstrations is second to none. Thanks for volunteering last year with the food and drinks wagon TP posters and staff. It was a blast!
Hope to see you again this year.
February 2nd, 2007 at 3:08 amWe`ll bring the beer brats!
All are welcome!
Tell a friend!
Is the sky falling yet!? Chaos and looting in the streets!? How many homeless millionaires has this created so far?!? Everyone, quick, stock up on essentials at the grocery store, because this is definitely the beginning of the end for the American way of life!!!
Help us, O Lord, we beseech you!! We pray that you will not let the dirty, icky people get any more money without first majoring in accounting at a “good” school or taking on a 3rd job!!
February 2nd, 2007 at 12:32 pm#83, the tax cuts are for small businesses, like Sprint and AT&T.
February 2nd, 2007 at 12:34 pmsupply and demand….eh?
Those who work the minimum wage jobs can’t afford to go to college to get the higher paid jobs.
Those who can afford to go to college get the higher paying jobs where they just sit and do nothing.
Hmmmm. Reminds me of a saying, for some reason…
Those who can, do. Those who can’t, become CEOs.
February 2nd, 2007 at 2:56 pm