BOSTON (September 19, 2017): In response to today’s joint committee on Labor and Workforce Development debating the merits of increasing the minimum wage rate to $15 an hour by 2021, the following statement may be attributed to National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Massachusetts State Director, Chris Carlozzi:
Owning and operating a business in the Commonwealth is problematic enough without added labor costs. The small business community is already tasked with the financial burdens of mandatory paid sick leave, the MassHealth assessment, highest-in-the-nation health insurance premiums, and out-of-control energy costs. To even consider dramatically increasing the minimum wage rate to $15 an hour by 2021 is irresponsible and prohibitive to job creation.
When small business owners know that a potential wage hike looms in the near future, it discourages them from hiring additional employees. In order to improve our ability to compete with neighboring states, we must focus on sound public policy that will empower our private sector and encourage job creation, not further hinder Main Street businesses with labor costs that will stymie growth.
