Minimum Wage

New Brunswick, N.J. -- THE HARD edge of the new congressional leadership's "Contract With America" is slowly being unveiled for all to see.For example, it wasn't sufficient for Rep. Dick Armey, a Texas Republican and the House majority leader, to merely state his opposition to an increase in the minimum wage from the current $4.25 to $5 per hour.Rather, he felt the need to declare war on any such initiative, proclaiming that he'd oppose it "with every fiber of [his] being."Then, revealing his scorched-earth strategy, Mr. Armey expressed his opposition to the very concept of a minimum wage.

Inside one of the nicer portable toilets in the Preakness Infield, Christine Johnson cleaned up and attended to the ladies using the restroom Saturday. The 50-year-old Baltimore resident said she lucked out in getting assigned to one of the three restroom facilities at the turfside terrace, where patrons pay a premium for a gourmet luncheon, beer and wine. Her facility featured air conditioning as well as five stalls and a granite-textured, three-sink basin. Johnson described it as the Cadillac of portable toilets, usually known as a one-person station without any amenities, let alone ventilation.

Maryland's minimum-wage law became moot last month when the federal minimum wage rose to $6.55 an hour, or 40 cents higher than what the state required. Next summer, the state minimum-wage law sinks further underwater when the federal wage rises to $7.25. Between now and January, when the next General Assembly session convenes, Gov. Martin O'Malley needs to formulate a plan to revive the state minimum wage to a realistic standard. The potential benefits of such a law on the lives of Maryland's working-class citizens - and on our most impoverished communities - are too great to ignore.

I have habitually and patiently read Thomas F. Schaller's column for some time now. His most recent ("An American recipe for class immobility," Feb. 21) warrants a response. First of all, I am hopeful that Mr. Schaller understands the fundamental differences between Scandinavian countries (with roughly 26 million homogenous inhabitants) and the United States (a nation of 310 million multi-ethnic residents). Let's not forget some salient political and economic differences: Denmark has one of the most stringent immigration regulations in the European Union.

WASHINGTON -- Under pressure from the White House, Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich said yesterday that he would delay until next year his plans to recommend a higher minimum wage.Two weeks ago, Mr. Reich said that by the end of October he would recommend that the minimum wage, now $4.25 an hour, be increased by about 25 cents. But White House officials warned him immediately afterward that such a move would be unwise because it could antagonize business leaders at a time when President Clinton needs them for his health care and trade proposals.

In the midst of a recession, surrounded by drastic discounts, inventory reduction sales and vacant storefronts, scores of area retailers are begging for more help.At the Hunt Valley Mall alone last week, 17 stores displayed window signs appealing for job applicants.There were at least 10 stores posting signs at the Annapolis Mall, three at Reisterstown Road Plaza, two at the Glen Burnie Mall and even one at the Mondawmin Mall in economically hard-pressed West Baltimore.Some stores are enticing applicants with a selection of work schedules and generous employee discounts.

WASHINGTON -- As Republican leaders grudgingly moved toward consideration of a minimum-wage increase yesterday, Vice President Al Gore predicted that Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole "will cave to pressure" and agree to an increase sought by Democrats."

Maryland's minimum-wage earners will see a $1 raise in their hourly pay after the state Senate yesterday overturned Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s veto of a bill that bumps the rate to $6.15. The law, which goes into effect in 30 days, makes Maryland the 18th state to increase the minimum wage over the federal minimum of $5.15. The Senate voted 30-17 yesterday to override, after a 91-48 vote by the House last week. "I think it sends the right message that the state of Maryland cares about its working families," said Sen. Thomas M. Middleton, a Charles County Democrat.

Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., In what promises to be a bruising political fight, state Democrats and worker advocates fired the opening salvos yesterday in their push to raise Maryland's minimum wage. It's now linked to the federal rate of $5.15 an hour, which was last increased in 1997. More than a dozen state legislators are sponsoring bills calling for $6.15 an hour, while a third bill, in the House, proposes $7 an hour. "It's a crisis situation," said Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., the lead sponsor of the Senate bill.

WASHINGTON -- Working at $4.25 an hour for a company that cleans public schools in Baltimore, Keith Mahone is puzzled that there should be argument over President Clinton's proposal to raise the minimum wage."

Last Tuesday, a Delaware state senate committee approved legislation to raise that state's minimum wage to $8.25 by 2014, making it $1 above the federal government's (and Maryland's) current standard. If the measure becomes law, the Diamond State would join 17 other states that require a minimum wage in excess of the $7.25 federal standard. That Delaware, a state ranked in the top-quarter of states for its business tax climate (according to the Tax Foundation), should demonstrate such interest in raising the minimum wage adds to the evidence that it's not strictly a red or blue state or liberal versus conservative issue.

During the summer of 1988, I was the guy who spray-painted house numbers on the curb. I'd spent June working the graveyard shift at UPS. After two summers of toiling for minimum wage - when minimum wage paid less than vagrancy - UPS offered a whopping $8 an hour. But it was back-breaking work, roughly the civilian equivalent of basic training. I single-handedly unloaded the cargo of 18-wheelers, much of it heavy and none of it quickly enough for the pacing floor manager, who barked like a drill sergeant.

Ross Eisenbrey's contention that Maryland's crab meat industry "has scared Maryland politicians for years" ("Jobs and fairness: 'prevailing wage' rule good for Marylanders," Oct. 24) shows he doesn't understand the industry and is willing to ignore or bend facts to suit an ideological argument against the guest worker program. The idea that a few mostly mom and pop firms can scare Maryland's leaders into misguided action is laughable. Perhaps our officials know enough about the industry and why it relies on H-2B workers to seek adjustments to Labor Department regulations.

In Umar Farooq's recent letter concerning Occupy Baltimore ("Occupy Baltimore: The Sun doesn't get it," Oct. 10), he states that The Sun's reporters wouldn't understand the concerns of the protesters. On the contrary, I believe that a reporter for the Sun would understand them all too well. The lament that the janitor who sweeps the stands after a football game makes too little money is nothing new. There's a mechanism by which the wages of that janitor can be raised, and that would be to raise the minimum wage.

There is no single solution to America's interrelated problems of massive debt, high unemployment, youthful angst and general lack of civility in society. But any idea that could address several of these issues simultaneously would at least be worth trying. In that spirit, I offer one such proposal. Congress should consider enacting a law requiring every citizen ages 16 to 26 to spend at least one year in a service-oriented role in the community. This service could be in the military, the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)

How pathetically sad and disturbing that the financial stability of our nation is in such a precarious, perilous state, and our credit rating is now being threatened by two top rating agencies, Moody's Investors and Standard and Poor's. The quick fix is to raise the debt ceiling, but now the Republicans have decided we can't just do that because it is not fiscally responsible, and drastic cuts are needed to reduce the deficit first, without the need for increased revenue. This is easy to proclaim now that we have a Democrat as president, expecting him to ask the middle class, the poor, the elderly on fixed incomes to tighten their belts and make the sacrifices necessary by draconian stripping of necessary public programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

WASHINGTON -- New Year's Day will bring the ninth straight year in which the federal minimum wage has remained frozen at $5.15 an hour, marking the second-longest period that the nation has had a stagnant minimum wage since the standard was established in 1938. Against that backdrop, Democrats are preparing ballot initiatives in states across the country to boost turnout of Democratic-leaning voters in 2006. Labor, religious and community groups have launched efforts to place minimum-wage initiatives on ballots in Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Arkansas and Montana next fall.

Last week Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley sent a letter to Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. asking him to support a minimum-wage increase - and then immediately told the press about it. It was a textbook dare, straight out of the Democratic handbook for this election season. Many Democrats across the nation are convinced that George Bush was elected President in 2004 thanks to a single wedge issue: gay marriage. They believe ballot initiatives aimed at banning gay marriage in several states drew large numbers of social conservatives to the polls.

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — This used to be tobacco country. Still is, but the demand for tobacco is down, the demand for soybeans and sweet potatoes is up, and the farmers have adjusted accordingly. This is not a land of pretense. On the highway leading into town, a small green sign celebrates a hometown star. The star is not Ava Gardner — the Hollywood glamour girl who was born nearby and was buried here, the legendary actress and onetime wife of Frank Sinatra. The star is a guy who made it to the major leagues and hit .230.

Your article ("Minimum Wage Push" April 10) describes the plight of Bridget Highkin. Ms. Highkin is a 25-year-old mother of two, who because of the slow economy has seen her restaurant waitress pay decrease significantly. She now lives with her mother and relies on food stamps and child and health care subsidies. Shouldn't Ms. Highkin have qualified for the earned income tax credit? Her sons are 4 and 6. Therefore Ms. Highkin had two children by 21. The article does not mention the father(s)