"This is a matter of fairness and sound economic policy. The current minimum wage is failing to keep up with increasing costs of living. Whether it is buying gas or groceries, paying for medical services or heating costs, minimum wage workers cannot make ends meet. With this increase, workers will see a rise in their purchasing power which will provide an economic boost for the North Country. Every $1 increase for minimum wage workers results in $3,500 in new consumer spending over the course of a year. That is what businesses need – consumers to spend more dollars locally.
"Quite simply, the status quo has stunted the economic recovery in our region. With no real wage increase for the last six years, the working poor cannot keep up with inflationary price increases and local businesses are feeling the effect of a lack of sales revenue. Raising the minimum wage will spur the re-circulation of money throughout the entire economy, helping to sustain businesses into the future."
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