"The minimum wage in Texas hasn't gone up a single penny in 13 years. That changes when we win." Beto O'Rourke
Democrat nominee for Texas Governor, Beto O'Rourke, hit Waxahachie today as part of his 49-day road trip across Texas. Before attending the town hall, Beto again took to Twitter to attack his opponent, current Texas Gov Greg Abbott.
This time Beto's choice of topic was the minimum wage in Texas.
Currently, Texas has a minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, one of the lowest in the country. This doesn't compare well with states such compared to states like Washington D.C. ($15 an hour) or Massachusschestt ($13.50), or Oregon ($13.50).
This can make it hard for people to earn a living wage. For example, a recent report by Axios showed a person must earn at least $27.58 an hour to comfortably make rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the Austin-Round Rock metro area.
"Over the past decade, Texas has lost 600,000 living wage jobs." Beto O'Rourke
Beto has consistently pushed the need to increase the minimum wage.
"While growth has been concentrated in the kinds of jobs that don't pay enough for the average Texas family to get by. With 1 in 5 Texas children living in poverty, it's clear that the Texas economy isn't working for everyone...That means raising the minimum wage to ensure every Texan is paid the full value of their work, increasing access to paid and sick leave, making Texas a right-to-organize state, and ensuring Texas leads on the big, bold innovations that can move this state forward."
Democrats in Washington are pushing for the passage of a federal $15 minimum wage that would apply to all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Texas Gov Abbott is against this move.
"Small businesses are the backbone of the Texas economy, and a government-imposed $15 minimum wage would put a boot on the neck of small businesses struggling under the weight of the pandemic," Greg Abbott
Readers, what do you think? Do you agree with Beto that Texas's minimum wage should be increased? Or do you side with Abbott on this issue?
Please leave your comments below.
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