As someone who currently lives paycheck to paycheck, I am deeply concerned about the intolerable state of the existing minimum wage, especially given our current housing market. As the cost of living continues to rise, the value of the minimum wage has remained stagnant. My livelihood, along with countless others, is being jeopardized as my rent increases while I struggle to afford basic living expenses.

In the United States minimum wage is like $14.00 per hour, a rate that has not increased in a while. This stagnation contrasts starkly with our tumultuous housing market, where the rent for a one-bedroom apartment is nearly $1,628 on average per month. As a result, a disproportionate percentage of a minimum-wage earner's income is consumed by housing costs.

We urge the government to confront this disparity by raising the minimum wage to $20 or more per hour. Even those making six-figure salaries are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, highlighting the urgent need for this change. Increasing the minimum wage to a level that correlates with the cost of living would provide much-needed relief for millions of workers struggling to make ends meet. Without action from the government, the gap between the rich and the poor will continue to widen.

By signing this petition, you are taking a stand against income inequality and fighting for a fairer wage system. Please sign this petition and support the increase in the minimum wage to $20+ per hour.