Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, August 13, 2013
(UNDATED) - Grassroots organizations in Indiana and across the country are seeking to raise the minimum wage.
WFIU Public Radio reports that an Indiana Institute of Working Families report released late in July argues for a minimum wage increase, saying it would reduce the money the government spends on welfare.
And Indiana Jobs with Justice recently kicked off what officials say will likely be a year-long campaign to raise the wage floor to more than $10 per hour - up from Indiana and the federal government's floor of $7.25 per hour.
Amy Shackleford is the group's executive director. She says now that Wall Street has recovered from the recession, CEO salaries are rising, and it's time to share some of those profits with low-wage earners.
But officials from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce say raising the minimum wage is not the answer. Citing research from the Heritage Foundation indicates raising the minimum wage will force businesses to hire fewer workers.
The truth is, there's research to back up both sides, says Indiana Business Research Center Director Jerry Conover.
What it comes down to is what Economists are still searching for a more steadfast conclusion, so in the meantime, whether government officials decide to raise the minimum wage will likely come down not to economics, but politics.
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