Press Releases

New Year Minimum Wage Hikes Boost Business

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

Business owners speak about why they support minimum wage hikes in advance of numerous increases happening across the country at the New Year 

Dec. 20, 2017 – Eighteen states are kicking off the new year by raising their minimum wage, and business owners are speaking in support. Business leaders say the increases taking effect on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 will boost consumer spending, reduce costly employee turnover, increase productivity and customer satisfaction, and strengthen local economies.

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.

Pennsylvania Business Leaders Urge Lawmakers to Raise the Minimum Wage

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

July 6, 2017 – Today Pennsylvania business leaders participated in various events across the state, urging lawmakers to raise the state’s minimum wage.

They cited numerous business benefits a higher minimum wage would have for their businesses, other Pennsylvania businesses and the state economy as a whole. The business leaders participated in events in Wilkes-Barre, Delaware County and Philadelphia and were joined by elected officials, workers and community leaders. Rep. Patty Kim introduced HB 1520, which would raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 by 2024 and Gov. Tom Wolf included an increase to $12 in his budget proposal.

Businesses Welcome July 1 Minimum Wage Increases

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

June 29, 2017—Business owners across the country are looking forward to the boost in consumer spending, reduced employee turnover, and increased productivity and customer satisfaction that will come with various state and local minimum wage increases taking effect on July 1.

Giving low-income workers a raise will strengthen communities and local businesses. Gradually raising minimum wages will mean a more stable, productive workforce as well as increased 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.

Borris cited numerous business benefits a higher minimum wage would have for his Chicagoland catering business, his fellow Illinois business owners and the state economy as a whole.

Illinois Business Owners Applaud Senate Passage of $15 Minimum Wage, Call for Governor to Sign

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

Springfield, May 31, 2017 — Local business owners applauded the Illinois State Senate’s passage today of legislation gradually raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 by 2022, and urge Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign the legislation into law.

Business owners say that raising the minimum wage will boost the consumer spending that businesses depend on to survive and grow. Business owners also support a minimum wage increase because it will lead to lower employee turnover and reduce the hiring and training costs associated with higher turnover. Businesses will also benefit from increased productivity and greater customer satisfaction.

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.

Business Owners to Testify in Support of $15 Minimum Wage at Baltimore City Council Hearing

CONTACT:
 Erin Musgrave, 530-864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com or Bob Keener, 617-610-6766, bob@businessforafairminimumwage.org
Baltimore, March 1, 2017 — Local business owners will testify today in support of gradually raising Baltimore’s minimum wage to $15 at a public hearing held by the Baltimore City Council. The proposed legislation would gradually increase Baltimore’s minimum wage to $15 by July 1, 2022 for businesses with more than 50 employees, and to $15 by 2026 for businesses with fewer than 50 workers.

New Year Minimum Wage Increases Will Benefit Businesses Across U.S.

Contact: Erin Musgrave, 530-864-7014, erin@erinmusgravecommunications.com

Dec. 22, 2016 – Business leaders across the country are speaking out in support of minimum wage increases taking effect on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 because of the many economic benefits associated with a higher wage floor. Nineteen states will be kicking off the new year by raising their minimum wages because of ballot measures or legislation passed in 2016 and previous years. Three additional states and the District of Columbia have scheduled increases or an annual cost of living adjustment coming in July 2017.