Marzilli, Sciortino Push Minimum Wage Bill
by Jesse Kawa, Medford Transcript
3/23/2006
Minimum wage in Massachusetts is the third lowest in New England, but local legislators are hoping to change that.
Rep. James Marzilli, D-Arlington, who represents neighborhoods in West Medford, is the chief sponsor of a bill that would increase the state's minimum wage from $6.75 to $8.25 over the next two years.
Marzilli said this is an important step in the right direction and he hopes his colleagues feel the same way. "Massachusetts is a high cost state," he said. "We can't expect people to survive on a sub-poverty wage."
There has been much discussion on Beacon Hill about this topic recently, but Marzilli said an official vote has yet to be taken. He said he expects the House to do so within the next month and the Senate shortly thereafter.
Marzilli added both the Senate president and Gov. Mitt Romney have given him every indication they will support an increase, which has given him confidence the bill will in fact go through.
"We're the second wealthiest state in the richest country in the world," he said. "I think we can afford this." Although there will most likely be a backlash from the business community, Marzilli feels this is something that has to be done. He said costs have continued to go up over the years while minimum wage has remained the same.
The last time the state's minimum wage increased was in 2000-01.
Rep. Carl Sciortino, D-Medford, who co-sponsored the bill, is also hoping to see it come to fruition.
Sciortino said the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development made a recommendation earlier this month to up minimum wage to $7.60. He said he doesn't think that's enough.
Sciortino said if the state really wants to make a difference on this issue, it needs to stick with the proposed increase of $8.25.
"That's not acceptable," said Sciortino. "To short change them is unfair and unjust. We're talking about small numbers in the grand scheme of things, but big numbers for working families."
Sciortino said someone who earns minimum wage in Massachusetts make an average of $14,000 a year. He said that number would increase by approximately $3,000 if the bill is passed.
"It's something that has not been addressed properly," said Sciortino. "We have an obligation to make sure they're receiving a fair wage."