NFIB/NH Cheers Senate's Rejection of Minimum Wage Bill

Date: May 08, 2014

Concord (May 8, 2014) – The Senate’s rejection today of a
plan that would have increased the state’s minimum wage by 24 percent will
spare New Hampshire slower job growth and maintains the state’s competitive
position, said the National Federation
of Independent Business (NFIB)

 

“A
24-percent increase on small employers would have dampened the demand for
workers and that’s not good economic policy,” said NFIB New Hampshire State Director Bruce Berke.   “We want to increase the demand for labor
and we want to expand opportunities for low-skilled workers to break into the
workforce and work their way up.  This
would have accomplished exactly the opposite.”

 

The
Senate today rejected a plan that would have increased the state minimum wage
from $7.25 per hour to $9 per hour with an automatic increase every year in
perpetuity based on inflation.

 

“It
would have guaranteed that labor costs would go up every year forever
regardless of the business conditions,” said Berke.  “It would have required employers having
tough time to pay more for entry-level labor even if sales are flat.  The best and most democratic way to spread
prosperity is to let business owners and entrepreneurs know that New Hampshire
wants them to invest here and we want them and their employees to succeed.”

 

The
decision today is likely to make New Hampshire more attractive as a place to do
business, said Berke.

 

“It
shows serious thinking on the part of our elected officials and that signals
stability,” he said.  “Other states in
the region have already or are planning to increase their labor costs.  We will be the beneficiaries.”

 

Berke
said Senate leaders deserve special credit for resisting the political campaign
to raise the minimum wage.

 

“President
Obama has been to the region to push for a higher minimum wage and the issue
has gotten a lot of national and local attention,” said Berke.  “It took real courage to stand up to that and
the leaders of the Senate deserve credit.”

 

Learn
more about NFIB at www.nfib.com.

 

#####

Subscribe For Free News And Tips

Enter your email to get FREE small business insights. Learn more

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Learn More

Or call us today
1-800-634-2669

© 2001 - 2024 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy