I've seen my family struggle to pay bills for as long as I can remember. The current minimum wage simply isn't enough to cover basic living expenses, let alone unexpected costs or savings for the future. This is not just a personal issue; it's a national crisis affecting millions of families across America.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 1.6 million workers earned exactly the prevailing federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour in 2019 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). It's clear that this figure hasn't kept pace with inflation or cost-of-living increases over time.

Raising the minimum wage would not only alleviate financial stress on low-income families but also stimulate economic growth by increasing consumer purchasing power. A study by University of California Berkeley found that higher wages lead to increases in spending which supports local businesses and can boost job growth (UC Berkeley).

It's time we address this issue head-on and fight for an increase in our nation’s minimum wage so no family has to struggle like mine did just to make ends meet.

Please sign this petition and join us in our fight for a fairer, more equitable economy!