Min Wage

I'd prefer the less controversial tiered minimum wage based upon age.

16 and older get this: $6.25/hr (+/-) Cost of Living Adjustments according to Metropolitan Statistical Area or the state average

18 and older get this: $7.25/hr (+/-) Cost of Living Adjustments according to Metropolitan Statistical Area or the state average

21 and older get this: $8.25/hr (+/-) Cost of Living Adjustments according to Metropolitan Statistical Area or the state average

24 and older get this: $9.25/hr (+/-) Cost of Living Adjustments according to Metropolitan Statistical Area or the state average

Minimum wage as it stands of 1 rate, if raised, would put pressure on employers to not hire the youth. With tiered system, firms have incentive to hire younger workers and fire unskilled older workers. Firms today discriminate workers based on job history / experience, so many of the youth have a hard time finding work. Tiered system is an absolute win for the youth who need entry level employment.

Under tiered system, older workers, if their employers want them to be employed, will see a benefit. Unskilled older workers, if laid off because of the wage increase, will at least have job experience. As I understand this tiered system hurts older workers who enter job market late, as it should.

With wages lower, this puts an atagonism on teens hoping to support themselves independently when young. The pressure is then to stay in school, stay in the family, and hopefully graduate.

Metropolitan Statistical Area are defined by the Census. Cost of Living Adjustments are easily determined by local officials, by taking the average price of goods from a basketful of items. After, all numbers are submitted by the local officials to be indexed in a statewide database. This CoL adjustment is determined every 3 years. For areas outside Metropolitan Statistical Areas, state officials give a state average.