Press Releases

Wages and Consumer Spending are Stagnating as the Federal Minimum Wage Marks Nine Years Without a Raise

CONTACT: Erin Musgrave, erin@emcstrategies.com, 530-864-7014

July 23, 2018—July 24 will mark nine years since the federal minimum wage was last increased. Since reaching $7.25 an hour in 2009, the federal minimum wage has lost nearly 15 percent of its buying power. Full-time minimum wage workers make just $15,080 a year. Twenty-one states have minimum wages at or below the federal minimum and various other states have minimum wages that are above $7.25 an hour, but still inadequate. Business owners across the country are calling for the minimum wage to be raised to benefit businesses and the economy.

MA Business Owners Applaud $15 Minimum Wage Being Signed Into Law Thursday; More than 300 Business Leaders Endorsed Massachusetts Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Statement Backing Increase to $15

Contact: Bob Keener, 617-610-6766, bob@businessforafairminimumwage.org
or Erin Musgrave, 530-864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com

BOSTON, June 27, 2018 – Business owners across Massachusetts are voicing support for raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour, which Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to sign into law Thursday. More than 300 business leaders endorsed the Massachusetts Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Statement advocating a $15 minimum wage and many testified at hearings and spoke at public events around the state in support.

Business Owners Call for Action as Eight-Year Anniversary of $7.25 Federal Minimum Wage Approaches on July 24

CONTACT: Erin Musgrave, 530-864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com

July 18, 2017—July 24 will mark eight years since the federal minimum wage was last increased. Since 2009, the federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 – worth less than it was in 1950, adjusted for the cost of living. Business owners and executives across the country are speaking out in support of raising the minimum wage to strengthen businesses and boost consumer buying power.

Business Owners Urge Governor to Sign Illinois $15 Minimum Wage Bill

CONTACT:
 Erin Musgrave, (530) 864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com

Chicago, IL, June 9, 2017 – Today Chicagoland business owner David Borris, owner of Hel’s Kitchen Catering, urged Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign recently-passed legislation gradually raising the state’s minimum wage to $15. Borris joined State Rep. Will Guzzardi and State Sen. Omar Aquino at a press conference supporting the bill that the Illinois General Assembly passed last week.

Baltimore Business Owners Applaud City Council Passage of $15 Minimum Wage

CONTACT: Erin Musgrave at erin@emcstrategies.com or 530-864-7014

Local business owners urge Mayor Catherine Pugh to sign bill gradually raising Baltimore’s minimum wage to $15; they are available for interviews upon request

Baltimore, March 20, 2017 — Local business owners applauded the City Council’s passage today of legislation gradually raising Baltimore’s minimum wage to $15 by July 1, 2022 for businesses with 50 or more employees, and to $15 by 2026 for businesses with fewer than 50 workers.

Maryland Business Leaders Support $15 Minimum Wage Bill Before Senate

CONTACT: Erin Musgrave at erin@emcstrategies.com or 530-864-7014

Annapolis, March 15, 2017 — Maryland business leaders submitted testimony supporting legislation the Senate Finance Committee is considering today, which would raise the state’s minimum wage to $15.

The proposed legislation, SB 962, would gradually increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 by 2022 for businesses with 26 or more employees, and to $15 by 2023 for businesses with 25 or fewer employees.