Letter to Editor By Annebeth Bunker, Owner, Annebeth's
Capital Gazette, April 4, 2018
Before Maryland’s legislative session draws to a close, lawmakers can still take action to support Maryland businesses and workers by raising the state’s minimum wage.
As a small retail store owner, I know how important good employees are to the success and stability of a business. This year, we’re celebrating 20 years serving customers on historic Maryland Avenue in Annapolis. We rely on our employees to open and close our shop, take good care of our customers and uphold our reputation.
Fair pay helps us hire and retain good people, and it boosts morale. We pay above the minimum wage now, and, as a result, our turnover tends to be better than the industry average. More experienced employees can also take better care of customers. In retail, good customer service makes all the difference in keeping customers or losing them.
What’s more, today’s minimum wage hasn’t kept pace with the cost of living. It’s bad for everyone — employees, businesses, communities and Maryland’s economy — when working people don’t earn enough to meet their basic needs and pay their bills.
By raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2023, as proposed in House Bill 664 and Senate Bill 543, lawmakers will help working Marylanders to make ends meet. In a consumer-driven economy, that’s also good news for business.
ANNEBETH BUNKER
Annapolis
Copyright 2018 Annebeth Bunker