Recently, the Raise the Wage Act of 2021 failed to make it through the Senate. This act, had it passed, would phase in a $15 minimum wage by 2025-- effectively raising the earnings of the 32 million workers (EPI, 2021). Even in our neighborhood, Ohio Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and others have been supportive of the wage increase, however, he is in the minority. In order for the bill to become law, it will require more bipartisan support on the Republican side (OCJ, 2021).

OCJ | Ohio talks minimum wage raise after feds leave it tabled

It is important for the welfare of the country’s workers and the economy that our state senators and representatives reconsider. Let me leave you with this statistic: 

According to the House Committee on Education and Labor, one in nine U.S. workers is paid full-time hourly or salary wages that still leave them in poverty (HCEL, 2021). This means that, for a substantial percentage of workers, there is no place in the U.S. where a full-time worker making minimum wage can afford rent, food, and other essentials.  

Columbus Dispatch (2019) | Ohio still lags US in household income as inequality between whites and blacks grows, census finds

According to the Columbus Dispatch article above, Columbus, Ohio is becoming increasing one of the most economically segregated metro areas in the country. Currently, in Franklin County, approximately one in three have household incomes at or twice below the poverty level. These negative effects are more disproportionately, severely felt by black, latinx, LGBT, and gender minorities. Even with proper PPE, this pandemic has forced many of these minorities to work in environments where not only are they more vulnerable to contract COVID-19, but they can oftentimes barely make ends meet.

Unfortunately, this wage inequality was created by policy decisions at the federal and state level. Policymakers lost sight of the worker, stripping them of their staying power, and protected the wealthy. But for the purpose of our petition, we don’t want to blame individuals, our interests remain solely in policy change. We want to fight alongside the Democratic progressives for a livable wage!

We think it is crazy that our state and country hasn’t raised its minimum wage and here are a few reasons why: 

• Affordable-housing developers are raising prices because the demand for inexpensive, safe housing has exceeded supply. Not only are they are pushing low income families out of the city, but they are pushing out middle income families too. To advocate for a fair wage means to advocate for a fair system. Capitalism may in theory create free markets, but they have missed the mark in creating equal rules to compete in this market!
• According to the Columbus Dispatch article below, a livable hourly wage for a Franklin Country household is $22.51, and instead our state offers $8.80 ($18,304/year). For someone who works forty hours a week for a year, this wage is just above the poverty line. From the outside looking in, this wage is essentially a poverty wage. The system, whether we’re talking the federal or state, can do better to offer a more adequate wage, and provide a better method out of poverty. If we were to raise the minimum wage to $15, 3.7 million families would be lifted out of poverty, and families are looking at $28,577/year which is likely enough to cover their budgets.

Columbus Dispatch (2017) | Income Inequality: Despite thriving economy, many in central Ohio struggle in low-wage jobs

The following article by the Economic Policy Institute (2021) emphasizes other critical points about raising the minimum wage.

Economic Policy Institute | Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025 would lift the pay of 32 million workers

We should have a livable wage! Advocating for an equal wage in our state can be a step in the fight for antiracist policies and equity for all!