Raising the minimum wage in Nebraska to $15 an hour would be a big step in increasing opportunity for Nebraskans. On Tuesday, Nebraska Appleseed hosted a virtual launch of “Raise the Wage Nebraska” coalition to raise awareness of the importance of increasing the minimum wage
Taking part in the virtual event today was 11th District Nebraska State Senator Terrell McKinney of Omaha. He stated, “I decided to support the Raise the Wage Campaign because throughout my life it has been especially important for me to advocate for more because I grew up in poverty. Throughout this global pandemic we have seen many Nebraskans are not paid adequately. We may have a low unemployment rate but we forget that many people are working multiple jobs and are not getting paid that much.”
Senator McKinney says many businesses may be concerned about their bottom line if wages are raised but that statistics show raising the wage will have positive impacts on the economy. He says we can no longer underpay those we see as essential workers. There is also a concern that people are moving out of state because others are more attractive financially.
Amy Bennett is with the Grand Island YWCA and says, “We are committed to eliminating inequity for women and people of color. According to the Economic Policy Institute, those who would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage in Nebraska, 60% are women and 30% are people of color.” Bennett says it would also be good economic policy. It is linked to an increase in consumer spending and a reduction in public benefit programs that taxpayers fund.
Bennett says, “Childcare staff, food service employees, grocery store workers and many more were deemed essential workers during the height of COVID-19. While many of us could work from home, essential workers kept our economy from collapsing. In 2020, we thanked them through social media posts, yard signs and painted windows and yet we have let these essential workers remain the most underpaid people in Nebraska. They rely on social safety nets and public benefits in order to survive despite working back-breaking hours. Raising Nebraska’s minimum wage is the first step towards justice for Nebraska essential workers.”
Signature petition gatherers have been out for the past 6 or 7 weeks. They will need to collect 87,000 signatures by July to get the issue on the November 2022 ballot.