By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

When it comes to public policy, sometimes a loss can eventually become a win.

Despite a growing call by many for an increased federal minimum wage, attempts in Congress have all but ceased.

Editor’s Note: The thoughts found in this weekly column are an expression of opinion by the author and not necessarily the opinion of InkFreeNews.

But it seems as if all that talk of a $15 wage has sunk into the psyche of the American worker and become the new benchmark for many American workers trying to make ends meet.

The bottom line is that wages over the years have not kept pace with the cost of living. Working for $7.25 an hour just isn’t worth it for many.

The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour hasn’t been hiked since 2009, and as of 2021, some 20 states will continue to have a minimum wage either equal to or below the federal level, making $7.25 the default baseline.

Indiana’s minimum wage – also $7.25 – has not risen in 11 years.

Market forces, though, seem to be changing the conversation.

There is significant movement in other states. Several states and cities on the West Coast have minimum wages near the $15 mark. More than 20 states are raising or phasing in the increased minimum wage. Florida and Delaware are both moving slowly toward the $15 level.

What we’re witnessing is a slow-moving, grassroots workplace revolution, and this time, it appears labor has the upper hand.

The American workforce is emerging from a year-long pandemic and many have reassessed their future in the workplace and they are not satisfied with wages or benefits.

The proof is clear. Americans are leaving their jobs for new opportunities at the highest level in more than two decades, according to numerous reports.

The impact is staggering. Restaurants can’t maintain normal hours and some are just giving up and closing. But it’s much more expansive than just in the food industry and it is reverberating in many of the retail and service sectors.

All of this leaves employers in a difficult position. I fully understand that.

Ultimately, I think many employers will have to pony up and provide improved wages (and/or benefits) if they want to remain in business. And if they pass it on to the consumer, I’m OK with it. I’m willing to spend a little more for my dinner if it helps the cooks and wait staff make ends meet.

The current circumstances will continue to be painful for many companies, but this is the price we’ll have to pay for ignoring wages for way too long.

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LOCAL HAPPENINGS –  Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch will host a meet and greet with veterans at the American Legion Post 49 in Warsaw at 1 p.m. Friday, July 2. There is plenty of speculation that she could be among several Republicans looking at a run for governor. There will also be a meet and greet for the general public at First Friday following the Hometown Heroes ceremony which begins at 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, local Democrats have announced plans for a return to the annual S.S. LillyPad cruise on August 29 at Lake Wawasee. You can learn more about the fundraiser at the Kosciusko County Democrat’s website.

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OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST:

• Days after being called a traitor while speaking at a conservative religious summit, former Vice President Mike Pence finally broke with Donald Trump over Pence’s role in certifying the 2020 election results this week. “The truth is, there is almost no idea more un-American than the notion that any one person could choose the American president,” Pence said on Thursday while speaking in California.
  At this point, I think Pence has turned off a large segment of voters for various reasons and stands little chance of a strong presidential run in 2024. But at least he’s on the right side of history.
• Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita continues to rail against the Affordable Care Act like it’s 2011. Despite three rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court and dozens of failed attempts by Republicans in Congress to dismantle the health care program, ACA is more popular than ever and is being used by some 30 million Americans. Soon after the most recent defeat by the Supreme Court, Rokita called the ACA an insidious government takeover of healthcare. “We’ll continue to push back against this unconstitutional law,” he said in a statement to the IndyStar.

• Third District Congressman Jim Banks continues to be a strong supporter of Donald Trump and is expected to join him in a visit to the southern border in the near future.

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Dan Spalding is the editor at InkFreeNews.com.
He covers city government and politics and always welcomes your input.