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Still no wage hike for N.D.

 
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May 22, 2007 - 04:05:15 CDT
By JONATHAN RIVOLI
Bismarck Tribune
Amid a joyous atmosphere of smiles and handshakes, Gov. John Hoeven signed a law in early March that called for North Dakota's minimum wage to rise along with the national minimum wage. A federal increase had already cleared both houses of Congress, and its final approval was imminent, Hoeven said at the time.

But two months later, Congress has still not acted on the minimum wage bill, leaving some 21,000 North Dakotans without their promised pay increase.

Democrats, who advocated an immediate state minimum wage increase separate from federal action, see this approach as a missed opportunity.

State Sen. Tim Mathern, a Fargo Democrat who led the charge for a state minimum wage increase, said inaction on the federal level clearly shows that it would have been better for North Dakota to set its own wage policy. He pointed out that neighboring states Minnesota and Montana acted on their own to raise the minimum wage for residents of their states.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., said minimum wage earners in North Dakota deserved more than rhetoric and a signing ceremony.

"An empty gesture like the state Legislature passed does not help a single family making minimum wage to add two cents to their buying power," Pomeroy said. "If legislators could find the time to pretend to raise the minimum wage, they could have found the time to really raise it."

Under the federal proposal, today's minimum wage of $5.15 per hour would gradually rise to $7.25 an hour over two years. The initial increase to $5.85 an hour would go into effect two months after the bill's passage.

North Dakota's state bill mimicked these changes, ensuring that they covered about 4,000 workers in the state who earn minimum wage but aren't covered by the federal standard. Disabled workers, employees of very small businesses with no interstate commerce and others such as newspaper carriers are exempt from the federal law, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

State Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem, R-Bismarck, said the bill's main objective was to ensure that these workers weren't left out in the case of a federal increase. Such a change looked to be right over the horizon when the bill passed in February, he said.

"I'm surprised because I thought it was going to happen," Stenehjem said. "We all thought the federal government was going to do it."

Don Larson, a spokesman for the governor, said Hoeven wants a higher minimum wage but also wants to keep North Dakota's wage law consistent with the rest of the nation to ensure a positive business climate. Such a climate attracts jobs and thus also acts as a way to increase wages, he said.

On the federal level, a minimum wage increase was an early ambition of the newly elected Democratic Congress, which took power in January. The federal minimum hasn't been raised since 1997.

As the debate began anew this year, a rift emerged over whether the bill also should contain tax breaks to offset the effect on small business owners. Senate Republicans and some Democrats, including Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., wanted the breaks, while House members didn't.

Later, the minimum wage increase was tied to a large supplemental appropriation chock full of things that Congress wanted to accomplish right away. That measure also included farm disaster aid, funding for the Iraq war and a 2008 withdrawal date for troops to leave Iraq.

But President Bush vetoed it over objections about the withdrawal date, thus killing the minimum wage increase in the process.

Now, congressional leaders are preparing a new version of the supplemental appropriation, which still includes the minimum wage increase. Pomeroy said he expects it to be on the president's desk as early as this week: "Hopefully, it's sooner rather than later."

(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli@;bismarcktribune.com.)
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Still no wage hike for N.D.
Comments

How many people? wrote on May 29, 2007 10:03 AM:

" The recent CEO of Home Depot was paid over 500 million dollars. The stock went no where. How many people could Home Depot pay for 500 million. This is just one example. Jack Welch ripped off GE for 600 million, then had the gall to say GE should provide him with a free private jet and golf club membership. What a greedy SOB. When will they ever get enough? I try not to do business with companies that allow such nonsense. "

Greedy CEO's wrote on May 29, 2007 9:58 AM:

" Greedy CEO's are the biggest problem we face. These people who make from four to five hundred times what an hourly laborer gets are incredible pigs. They do not hesitate to ship jobs off shore if it will add more to their pay. Toyota CEO's are not paid like U.S. Pigs. Look how Toyata has dominated the U. S. Auto industry. You cannot show a statistical link between CEO pay and performance. The simple question is do these pigs need this much? Do you really believe one person can contribute five hundred times more than another to the profit of a company? How could a person who calls themself a Christian be such a pig, and take so much they do not need? "

everything goes up wrote on May 29, 2007 9:33 AM:

" if the mimimum wage goes up everything else will. Who is benifiting from this? "

Break Free wrote on May 29, 2007 9:11 AM:

" If you are concerned that CEO's are giving themselves raises, how about the Congress of the United States? Have Rep. Pomeroy or Sen. Dorgan or Conrad said no we can't take these raises until our constituents make more money? I don't think so. I blame all of them for taking these raises but if you point fingers at repulicans you need to include democrats too. What about the sports figures who bring in millions of dollars for playing a game? Maybe they should work for less too! When the government starts saying how much you can make we're going to be in big trouble. Thankfully Jimmy Carter was in Venezuela to certify the election for Hugo Chevez, he's a good communist. Do you want that kind of government? If you think the government should be in charge like that maybe a trip to Cuba, China, Russia, or Venezuela might open your eyes! If you were the CEO would you say no? Be honest.... "

Double Standard wrote on May 29, 2007 7:47 AM:

" Republicans have no problem supressing the wages of working people, but CEO have been getting raises of ten to fifteen percent every year. For some strange reason raisin the pay of CEO doesn't cause inflation, but if you give poor people a break it does. That is conservative thinking for you. "

Break Free wrote on May 28, 2007 9:52 AM:

" No, that's the whinner's way! "

The American Way wrote on May 27, 2007 11:59 PM:

" We need low wages. It helps to have cheap labor and bigger profits for big business. We also need illegal aliens in this country. They work cheap, don't demand benefits, and keep their mouths shut so they don't get sent back. Hey, This is the American Way! "

Break Free wrote on May 27, 2007 9:13 AM:

" If you don't like what you make, who do you have to blame? Is it the corporate leaders who need to pay you more just because you want it? I don't see fences keeping you in North Dakota, or do you have a chain holding you? If you don't make enough here why don't you move somewhere else? Some love to complain instead of thinking outside the box. If some one makes millions so be it, it shouldn't stop you from doing the same. I can honestly say the government isn't going to make you rich and if you think they should limit how much a person can make maybe a communist country might be in your best interest. Cuba's close. "

Imation worker wrote on May 26, 2007 5:13 PM:

" Look at the CEO from Imation. He is pulling in $3.5 million in his first year as CEO. Does that seem fair? HMMMMMM. Maybe that has a small part in the closing of Imation. Maybe next year he will get $7 millon with the $30 millon they save in employee salaries!!! "

Vote Republican wrote on May 26, 2007 10:56 AM:

" All you lazy people wanting the goverment to take of you should be ashamed..Lazy un-educated people love the hand outs from the Democrats.... "

Jim S wrote on May 26, 2007 10:19 AM:

" All you whiners need to stoop your posting and get a second job. geez people wah! I agree with all that say we don't need to have a MW because it is something that the market place is setting and most places pay above even the 7.15. If a business doen't want to pay more than or MW, let their employees work somewhere were they can make more money. When this place can't find employees, they will be forced to raise their pay or close their doors. This is not rocket science. But if you don't or can't understand enon 101, maybe you are not even worth paying more than 5.15. For all you right wing bashers and tho of you bashing ND, GET OUT!!!!!!!!! we have no room for you here and don't want you. Go find a southern state to live in as they like to cry about everything, always scream for releif from something and everything is a national disaster. I am sure you will feel right at home in Louisiana. Here is a klenex. "

Ridiculous wrote on May 24, 2007 11:45 AM:

" I wish you people would stop whining. We don't need a minimum wage increase. If you want to make more money, do something to better yourself and WORK HARD like the rest of us. Bleeding hearts that just want the Government to take care of you... "

Try This wrote on May 22, 2007 7:14 PM:

" Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream had a system whereby the top person was paid a reasonable multiple of what the bottom person got. The only way the top dog could get more was if the bottom dog got more. Now you have a system that makes a minimum wage mean something. But the greedy CEO's can never get enough. That is why the head of Home Depot got a half billion, and the stock went nowhere. Pay for performance? "

Rich people can buy what they need wrote on May 22, 2007 7:11 PM:

" What a wonderful system. The rich can buy all the legislators they need, but the poor have to fend for themselves. Unfortunately most of the poor are susceptible to the fundamentalist doctrine that tells them to support the Republicans even though it is against their own best interest. So you end up with the immoral rich taking advantage of the simple minded poor. What else is new. "

PO3 wrote on May 22, 2007 4:44 PM:

" Republicans and most democrats talk a good game for working class people, but in reality hate working class people, so don't hold your breath for a wage increase ever. They think you should pay them to work for them. "

mb wrote on May 22, 2007 4:09 PM:

" Senator Mathern: Thanks for your support however the democrats are spineless in this state. What happen to the property tax relief? The bill you passed does nothing for the people who taxes went up and don't qualify for the income reduction as they are not working anymore and are retired. The Tribune poll stated that the public gave a 3 on property tax relief on a scale of 10. The overall ratings were 3 except education which got a 4 with 10 the highest you could score. The only time the public hears from democrats is when they are running for office. You shouid be exploiting the Republicans other wise their is no difference. The democrats should be thinking of the Governor's race and opinions shouid be given now so voters know what is going on in this state and be able to view all ideas. I am a independent. "

State Legislatures wrote on May 22, 2007 4:03 PM:

" That's our state legislatures at their finest with comments like "We didn't think..." and "we thought it would've passed...". Instead of being proactive they choose to get paid for doing nothing - and get a raise for it on top of it all!!! "

ND Conservative wrote on May 22, 2007 1:58 PM:

" Pomeroy would be well served to remember that, as a national non-entity that this State keeps on sending to Washington to get more than our fair share of pork, (as we are a net loss when measured as tax dollars out to tax dollars in), he should stick to his usual "contorversial" positions--like being against natural disasters--rather than bad-mouthing the ND Legislature which, unlike him, is actually composed of working lawmakers addressing real and local problems. "

Senator Tim Mathern wrote on May 22, 2007 1:49 PM:

" Democrats introduced a few bills in the ND Legislature which would have increased the minimum wage regardless of Washington DC action. It is a shame they were defeated. If for some reason a special session is called I will introduce a bill again. When things get better in an economy workers of every income level should benefit. "

IT'S CALLED CAPITALISM wrote on May 22, 2007 1:33 PM:

" That is why the CEO's are making all the money. If you want to live in a socialist/fascist/communist country, I suggest you start packing. We are a country of free enterprise. What incentives would anyone have to start a GOOD business and maintain it if they weren't allowed to make more money than thier employees? I sure wouldn't lay anything on the line for a business if I wasn't making a lot of money. "

Mckenzie County Native wrote on May 22, 2007 12:18 PM:

" Why not just make the minimum wage $1000/hr or better yet, lets have the government take over all the private businesses so that the government can decide what to pay everybody. "

mb wrote on May 22, 2007 11:34 AM:

" ND & WY were the only states out of 16 that did not approve raising the minimum wages in the 2005 legislatures. Their were 26 states that had approved it by 2005. Republicans just don't want to pay their own employees higher wages. News items on CNN stated MN and WY had not raised legislators pay in 7 years and were considering raising it in 2007 legislative session. Republicans have raised their salaries every year. I guess in the 2005 session they figured for being the lowest wage state in US they raised their own salaries 40% and for the worse out-migration in ND history and worse job losses they deserved the bonus. 11,300 people moved out and 7000 jobs were lost. SD MT MN all had economic increases in 2003-2005 with Montana stating ND was still failing in economic development. I guess their $1000 bonus to business and $1000 to individuals making over $75,000 income deduction for property taxes helped the top 10% of people but did nothing for elderly living on low income. Sock it to the lowest income people and charge their property taxes to taxpayers. "

The Market, my exhaust pipe wrote on May 22, 2007 10:53 AM:

" CEO's being paid over five hundred times what assembly line workers are making have manipulated the market to make sure they get way more than their share. By working in collusion with each others board of directors they are in a position to see they are well paid. Executive salaries have been increasing at ten to fifteen percent, while working people only get inflation raises. Professionals through lobbyist are able to manipulate supply and keep their rates high. Sure the free market works for those with influence, but anyone who understands the plantation system knows it is a joke for working people, that is why union busting is so important to Republicans. "

Hoeven is ineffective wrote on May 22, 2007 10:41 AM:

" You know, this whole thing is silly. This is just another instance of ND Republicans not doing the right thing. This session they had many gestures like this. It was all a dog and pony show. Hoeven is not a very good leader. "

Paul Braun wrote on May 22, 2007 10:12 AM:

" Does anyone else find it strange that North Dakota's congressional delegation is blaming Gov. Hoeven for this, despite democrat inaction in Washington? "

here we go again wrote on May 22, 2007 10:11 AM:

" Everyone is going to complain on the blog now can't wait to read the rest of the comments from the winers who think that they should make more than min. wage. I'm on the same train as don't you think. What about those of us already making over min wage are we going to see an increase I'll put all my money on most of us won't. The extremely rich get richer the extremely poor get richer the rest of us get poorer. So much for middle class America. "

Hmmmmm wrote on May 22, 2007 9:48 AM:

" "We need help"? How about you help yourself instead of looking to the government for a hand-out? Why is it that people insist the government must subsidize their laziness? Get up, Get out, Get a job! If that doesn't work, get an education. "

Employer A wrote on May 22, 2007 9:48 AM:

" The best way to guarantee a descent living wage is not to increase the minimum; but to allow the market forces do it's work. I employe low end scale people and haven't paid minimum wage in over 20+ years. Why? Because the market and competition required me to pay a better wage than minimum in order to obtain and keep employees. One poster talked of Maryland Governor raising their minimum to $8+. First, I doubt the Governor had the power to do that, as it requires their legislature. See that post for what it was, an excuse to bash our Governor. Second, I have been already paying over $8 for low end entry level jobs because of the market and competition. And we are in N.D., not Maryland. You don't need legislation to do what the market already does. "

don't you think wrote on May 22, 2007 9:09 AM:

" Doesn't anyone think that those making minimum wage currently will be in the same boat shortly after the increase? And what about those of us who will not benefit from this? I am so glad that my $10 an hour job that barely gets me by now will do even less in the coming years and my employer won't have to worry about paying ME more.You can't expect to pay people more but not have the cost of living rise with it. There is a reason why Mc D's doesn't pay minimum-the market has already decided what they will work for and those working in true minimum wage jobs still when they can go flip hamburgers for over $7 to start deserve $5.15 an hour. The only people I know working for that are my high school-aged nieces and nephews, and most of them are making far more than that. "

Charles wrote on May 22, 2007 8:25 AM:

" Here we are again with North Dakota ten steps behind the other states! Sure would be something if no minimum wage bill passes congress and we site with our little wage for another two years until the legislature re-convenes in 2009. Business as usual in North Dakota "

hhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm wrote on May 22, 2007 8:14 AM:

" whats the matter with our gov guys...the gov in maryland saw the problem and has raised the minimun to $8+ in his rural areas and $11+ in the urban sectors because rents, gas , etc have risen and his people are strugglilng...has our state no guts or heart..except for the legislators who fill their pockets with raises for themselves and state employees...what about the rest of us..cant afford to drive to work anymore..we need help..cant afford the rent anymore...we need help...does anyone care about north dakota's best resource..it's people!!!!!!?????? "

Simple minded Senators wrote on May 22, 2007 7:42 AM:

" The legislature just pasted a law that prohibits people from implanting a microchip in you, but the same fools don't have the time to pass real minimum wage reform. "

Al Gee wrote on May 22, 2007 7:30 AM:

" Does that mean that if this passes, can we keep the illegal immigrants wage @ $5.15 and hour? "

Fraud wrote on May 22, 2007 6:58 AM:

" Anyone capable of researching what time it is could quickly get concrete data that shows the middle and lower class has gone nowhere under the past several Republican administrations. All the increase in productivity, and major wage increases have gone to CEOs and the people on top. In exchange for promises regarding guns, gay marriage, and abortion, Republicans have taken all the benefit of recent economic gains and given it to the top five percent of our population. The economic data to support what I am saying is easy to find. Please show date that says otherwise. How long will we fall for this bait and switch? "

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