I have to debate why to keep minimum wage the same in California. In other words, why it should stay the same, which is at the moment $8/hr. These are the questions for my group to answer from the other group who are for an increase in minimum wage.
1. The value of a dollar decreases over time due to inflation, so how would one maintain a standard of living if min. wage is not increased? How do you justify keeping min. wage low while the cost of living goes up?
2. Because minorities and women are disproportionately represented in the min. wage pool, an increase in the wage directly assists them and their families. How would decreasing the min. wage be more beneficial towards them? (My group is not for a DECREASE in the wage, only to keep it the same, but we could still answer the question)
3. Without federal standards like min. wage, how can you assure that workers won't be exploited for their labors? (Again, we are for California's min. wage, the state, not the federal min. wage..)
4. A full time job of a federal min. wage job earns around $1160/month, which barely covers the median rent, and doesn't cover other expenses. What is illogical about raising min. wage so a person can afford to live (without taxes)? (Same thing as above, we are at the state amount, not the federal amount, and no person can live without taxes so I don't know why they asked it in that way..)
Thanks for any ideas/possible answers!
1. The value of a dollar decreases over time due to inflation, so how would one maintain a standard of living if min. wage is not increased? How do you justify keeping min. wage low while the cost of living goes up?
2. Because minorities and women are disproportionately represented in the min. wage pool, an increase in the wage directly assists them and their families. How would decreasing the min. wage be more beneficial towards them? (My group is not for a DECREASE in the wage, only to keep it the same, but we could still answer the question)
3. Without federal standards like min. wage, how can you assure that workers won't be exploited for their labors? (Again, we are for California's min. wage, the state, not the federal min. wage..)
4. A full time job of a federal min. wage job earns around $1160/month, which barely covers the median rent, and doesn't cover other expenses. What is illogical about raising min. wage so a person can afford to live (without taxes)? (Same thing as above, we are at the state amount, not the federal amount, and no person can live without taxes so I don't know why they asked it in that way..)
Thanks for any ideas/possible answers!