Op-Ed By Gov. Wes Moore
The Baltimore Sun, March 17, 2023
When I made the decision to run for governor, I couldn’t help but think about the person who first inspired me to live a life of public service. ... [My mother] worked multiple jobs — and didn’t get a position with benefits and a stable wage until I was 14 years old. But she kept pushing, and when she finally did get that job, she found a role that didn’t just change the trajectory of her life, it changed the trajectory of our entire family. That job was at the Annie E. Casey Foundation located in Baltimore, Maryland. ...
We need to ensure that Marylanders who work hard are rewarded with better pathways to work, wages and wealth. Getting there won’t be easy, and it will take more than just one solution. But as a first step, we need to ensure pay is competitive in our state. That’s why my administration is determined to lift the minimum wage in Maryland to $15 an hour by the start of next year. ...
My legislation, the Fair Wage Act, will increase wages for approximately 175,000 Maryland workers. Raising the minimum wage is a game-changer both for those who work and those they support. For our children, my legislation could mean the difference between two meals a day and three meals a day — the difference between a mom with three or four jobs and a mom spending weekends with her kids — the difference between struggle and stability.
In crafting this legislation, I made sure that both workers and businesses had a seat at the table. I spoke with labor groups, business advocates and hardworking Marylanders. Our bill has been endorsed by big companies and small businesses — from the gas and electric powerhouse Baltimore Gas and Electric to Well-Paid Maids, a small cleaning service in the capital region that pays employees living wages. They know, like I know, that raising wages doesn’t just benefit employees, it benefits employers too.
My proposal ensures that everybody wins. ... Raising the minimum wage will help grow the economy, with an additional $187 million in circulation every year because of higher pay. ...
Wes Moore is the governor of Maryland.