DeStefano Calls for a Moral Minimum Wage

June 06, 2006

New Britain - John DeStefano, Democratic candidate for governor, joined lawmakers from New Britain, and the owner of a small deli, at a noontime news conference to call for a Moral Minimum Wage in Connecticut. DeStefano's proposal would require annual cost of living adjustments to make sure the minimum wage always keeps up with inflation and that Connecticut's workers have the best chance to meet their families' needs as costs skyrocket.

Connecticut's current minimum wage is $7.40 per hour, which is one of the highest in the nation. However, Connecticut also has one of the highest costs of living in the country. According to a recent Connecticut Voices for Children report, Connecticut is one of only two states where income for the poorest 20% actually declined between 1991 and 2002.

"I believe it's wrong that people who work for a living in Connecticut are living in poverty," said DeStefano. "Since President Bush took office the working poor in Connecticut - and elsewhere - is falling further and further behind. My proposal would create a Moral Minimum Wage - an assurance that the minimum wage always keeps up with inflation and that people who work hard will the opportunity to make ends meet." The DeStefano plan would be modeled after similar proposals enacted in other states. Every year the minimum wage would be adjusted by the same percentage as inflation. For example, if inflation increased by 2% then the minimum wage would be increased by 2%. The DeStefano proposal would immediately increase wages for 39,000 workers and would further benefit more workers every year.

"Too many families working at a minimum wage are working their way into poverty," said DeStefano. "Freezing the minimum wage results in serious hardships for working families who are struggling to keep up with the costs of housing, heating, and health care," continued DeStefano. "To compensate for those increased costs, taxpayers pick up the cost when working families need public assistance to make ends meet."

State Reps. John Geragosian, Tim O'Brien, and Peter Tercyak joined DeStefano at the news conference.