Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.) said on Tuesday that debate on how to create more opportunities for individuals to work their way out of poverty is needed, but raising the minimum wage could price workers out of jobs.
President Obama signaled during his State of the Union Address on Tuesday that he’d like to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour – but Petri argued that job creators, primarily small businesses, would be forced to shoulder the burden.
“If the American people decide it’s a good idea to give low-wage workers a raise, we should consider how to put our money behind our generosity rather than putting all the cost on businesses,” Petri said. “We should look for a way to help lift working families out of poverty without eliminating the very jobs they need to move up the economic ladder.”
Petri said the Earned Income Tax Credit has been successful in helping lift families out of poverty in the past and could be strengthened. Wage subsidy proposals could also help support low-income workers and expand job opportunities.
“There are many in Congress – on both sides of the aisle – who want to help those who are working and living in poverty,” Petri said. “So, rather than moving forward with a ‘go it alone strategy,’ I call on the president to engage in debate with Congress on this issue so we can pass constructive legislation that moves us toward that goal.”