House Passes Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave
When recession hits, working families are hit the hardest. When the economy recovers all the gains go to the wealthy few. We can do better in this state.
This week the House of Representatives passed legislation to raise the minimum wage and implement paid safe and sick leave standards.
People who work full time shouldn’t live in poverty and require public assistance to meet basic needs. Parents shouldn’t be forced between caring for a sick child and losing pay.
But it’s not just the right thing to do, in a consumer based economy it’s smart policy. Raising the minimum wage to $12 would boost the earnings of over 550,000 workers and put $1 Billion back into our local economies. That means more people with more money to spend in local shops and businesses.
Take a look at Minnesota, the new governor worked with a Republican legislature to raise the minimum wage and increase taxes on incomes over $150,000 and the end result? Lower unemployment, a stronger economy, AND a budget SURPLUS of over $1 billion.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-gibson/mark-dayton-minnesota-economy_b_6737786.html
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Social Programs Lift Kids out of Poverty–IT WORKS!
Check out this blog post from the Washington Budget & Policy Center. Social programs lift kids and families out of poverty.
We know there’s a direct link between poverty and education, and we have a moral obligation to ensure all students are ready to learn when they show up to school. Sick, hungry, and homeless kids are not ready to learn. Let’s do everything we can to lift kids and families out of poverty.
Keep this in mind anytime you hear “Fund education first.” Under a fund education first plan, none of Washington’s 32,494 homeless kids will have stable and secure housing. Under a fund education first plan, none of Washington’s 305,000 food insecure kids will receive nutritious meals on a regular basis.
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Improving Oil Train Safety
Prior to 2012 there was very little crude oil being transported through Washington. But as domestic oil production has surged, it is increasingly being transported through our local communities by rail.
Throughout the country, the number of dangerous oil derailments have also increased dramatically and we need to be prepared.
Last night the House passed legislation that will enhance the safety of the transportation of oil over rail lines and through waterways.
The bill, once enacted, would have facilities receiving oil shipments disclose basic information on oil transport to impacted communities, and it grants state decision makers new authority to establish or enhance requirements for tug escorts for oil tankers.
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As always, thank you for reading this update. Please e-mail or call my office with your feedback, questions and concerns.
Sincerely,
