By Pat Caveye
Norfolk News Radio (WJAG 780AM/105.9FM, KQKX 106 KIX, KEXL 97.5FM), Oct 26, 2022
As the election is less than two weeks away, one topic Nebraskans will get to decide is if they want to approve the gradual minimum wage increase to $15 an hour by 2026.
... nearly 300 small business owners and executives have voiced their support for the pay increase.
Wild Bird Habitat store owner Dave Titterington says small businesses need to move their employees out of the expense column and into the investment column, as they are the first people guests meet when entering their business.
"When you got child care, you got food to put on the table, you got increased fuel costs for home heating and automobile, how can anybody make it on the minimum wage? We consider our employees an investment ... If you can't pay your employees a living wage, and still run a business, maybe you need to be in another profession."
Director of Operations at Morrows Collision Center Steph Terry is also in favor of the increase. She says workers are also consumers, and when they are paid more, they can spend more at local businesses.