CONCORD (January 25, 2017): In response to today’s hearing seeking to increase the state minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020, the following statement may be attributed to New Hampshire State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Bruce Berke:
Drastically increasing the minimum wage rate from $7.25 to $12 an hour over the next two years would deter job creation. While we are confident that this measure will be defeated in the House, every time small business owners hear proposals like this it gives them pause. An employer considering expansion must take the legislative environment into account in order to guard against the potential of harmful legislation in the future.
Political winds often change and knowing that there are lawmakers that are poised to raise wages given a chance makes the small business community contemplate whether they will be able to afford the employees they already have in the future, never mind new ones. In order to empower the working class, lawmakers should focus on reducing regulations and creating incentives for employers instead of attempting to interfere with the day to day operation of their businesses.
