February 21, 2007
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Topeka — The Kansas House on Wednesday rejected an attempt to increase the state minimum wage, which at $2.65 per hour is the lowest in the nation.
There were 56 votes to increase the state minimum wage to the same level as the federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour. But there was were 63 votes, all Republicans, against it.
Supporters of the increase said it was a moral issue to help low-income workers.
"This is a crime against humanity," said Rep. Geraldine Flaharty, D-Wichita. "Kansans deserve better."
The state minimum wage affects 19,000 workers, mostly in service or agricultural jobs, who aren't covered by the federal minimum wage law, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
But opponents of the increase in the state minimum wage said it would be too costly to small businesses and cause employers to lay off workers.
"This is one of the greatest superstitions of all, that if you raise the minimum wage you are doing anybody any favors," said state Rep. Mike Kiegerl, R-Olathe.
Rep. Benjamin Hodge, R-Overland Park, argued against the increase saying the state should avoid "European-style socialist bills."
An earlier motion to do away with a state minimum wage failed 56-62.
Twenty-eight states have state minimum wage rates higher than the federal minimum.
Sixteen states have set their state rate at the federal wage and five have no minimum wage; those include are Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Of states with a state minimum, only Kansas' is lower than the federal wage. Kansas hasn't increased its state minimum wage since 1988.
Congress also is considering increasing the federal minimum to $7.25 an hour, which would be the first increase in 10 years.
For House Democrats, defeat of the increase cut down one of their goals for the session.
More like this
- Minimum wage proposal fails 56 comments / March 21, 2008
- Kansas House defeats state minimum wage increase 33 comments / February 22, 2007
- House rejects raising minimum wage April 2, 2002
- House rejects raising minimum wage April 2, 2002
- House approves increase in minimum wage 10 comments / March 25, 2009
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21 February 2007
at 5:44 p.m.
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ksmattfish (Anonymous) says…
Does anyone know where I can find information on how many pay raises, and how much, the Kansas House and Senate have given themselves since 1988?
21 February 2007
at 5:48 p.m.
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spammer89 (Anonymous) says…
Thats some info i would like know, i say raise it help some of the people out for a damn change get people off welfare. I bet they make more than me…
21 February 2007
at 6:02 p.m.
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gwjayhawk (Anonymous) says…
Could anyone tell me jobs in particular this affects? I know it says service and agriculture jobs, but does someone have an example? I just wanted some clarification.
21 February 2007
at 6:08 p.m.
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Wilbur_Nether (Anonymous) says…
ksmattfish wondered “where I can find information on how many pay raises, and how much, the Kansas House and Senate have given themselves since 1988?” One place might be the Governor's Constituent Services Office, http://www.governor.ks.gov/contact.htm
21 February 2007
at 6:11 p.m.
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youngitized (Anonymous) says…
This is a complete travesty. Those Republicans should be ashamed of themselves. Once again this just prooves that Republicans don't stand for the people of Kansas. I would have to call them Rethuglicans now.
21 February 2007
at 6:38 p.m.
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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
Great news for the feedlot and packing plant owners out west! This will give them even more greenbacks to line the pockets of the legislators that voted for their cheap labor.
Pretty good news for consumers, too… the cheap labor means the fatcat owners won't be able to raise the price of a pound of ground round and point the finger at “labor costs.” They'll have to find some other excuse for maximizing their profits.
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
21 February 2007
at 6:39 p.m.
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christie (Anonymous) says…
I think they should pass a law that ALL Kansas Government Workers and Elected Officials get no more than Minimum Wage.
It's funny, they give million dollar tax breaks to companies, and deny working people a wage. And they call that “European-style socialist bills”.
If you want to move forward put your car in (D)emocrat.
If you want to go backwards put your car in (R)epublican.
21 February 2007
at 6:43 p.m.
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KsTwister (Anonymous) says…
Sure appears like corporations rule Kansas, they sure hate to pay more for cheap immigrant labor. I'll agree with No more pay increases for congressmen it is only right.
21 February 2007
at 7:05 p.m.
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zimmerman (Anonymous) says…
Does the Journal World have a list of all the Representatives who voted against increasing the minimum wage? I'd really like to know who all these people are.
21 February 2007
at 7:21 p.m.
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KS (Anonymous) says…
Most businesses in Kansas are under the Federal Wage and Hour laws. Like English being the official language, this too, is a non-issue.
21 February 2007
at 8:13 p.m.
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drewdun (Anonymous) says…
“Rep. Benjamin Hodge, R-Overland Park, argued against the increase saying the state should avoid “European-style socialist bills.”
That's awesome.
“European-style socialist bills” - Classic. This line seems to be the new meme among wingnuts, manna from the Chamber of Commerce.
What's even better is that this nutcase is not from Lakin or Ark City or even Hugoton….he's from the middle of the most populous county in Kansas.
Johnson County - so many people, so little sense.
21 February 2007
at 8:22 p.m.
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KS (Anonymous) says…
drewdun - Are you surprised to learn that Lawrence is not the only place stupid people live?
21 February 2007
at 8:56 p.m.
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white_mountain (Anonymous) says…
The whores in Congress AND the Whore-in-Chief President Bush - are selling out our country to illegal aliens - and they don't care what the minimum wage is.
The meat butcher and construction industries in Kansas are populated mainly by illegals, who make LESS than minimum wage, and who work for no benefits, no workman's comp, and no retirement plan.
We need to end illegal immigration and start paying American citizens BETTER wages.
21 February 2007
at 9 p.m.
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white_mountain (Anonymous) says…
Or end illegal immigration and reduce everyone's taxes.
21 February 2007
at 9 p.m.
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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
“Let's get real.. Other than waiters which earn 15-20% tips on all meals they serve regardless of how poor the service is… who earns $2.65/hr?”
____________________________________________
I waited tables and tended bar for almost 8 years, in my teens and 20s.
Tell ya what, “Bowhunter”… When Mommy finishes wiping your backside, and Daddy finishes putting your clothes on, why don't you try this job for yourself, and see how quick you get rich?
Until then… Go Spit.
Complete waste of protoplasm and breathable oxygen, you are…
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
21 February 2007
at 9:36 p.m.
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SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…
A great victory for low-wage earners! As I've stated before, the correct minimum wage is $0.00.
21 February 2007
at 9:42 p.m.
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mike_blur (Mike Blur) says…
Agnostick…are you also Dambudzo?
I'm confused by the 6:45 pm post.
21 February 2007
at 10:16 p.m.
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monkeyspunk (Anonymous) says…
“I waited tables and tended bar for almost 8 years, in my teens and 20s.”
Uh…and you probably made more than $2.65 per hour after you calculate tips that you most likely did not claim on your taxes. Am I right? Most good servers and bar tenders make well over what the salaried workers and some managers make in the service industy.
Worked in the front and back of the house and managed, I KNOW how it works. Quit your crying.
21 February 2007
at 11:02 p.m.
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kawryan (Anonymous) says…
Topeka - La casa de Kansas el miercoles rechazó una tentativa de aumentar el salario mÃ-nimo del estado, que en $2.65 por hora es el más bajo de la nación. HabÃ-a 56 votos para aumentar el salario mÃ-nimo del estado al mismo nivel que el salario mÃ-nimo federal de $5.15 por hora. Pero habÃ-a era 63 votos, todos los republicanos, contra ella. Los partidarios del aumento dijeron que era una edición moral para ayudar a trabajadores de ingreso bajo. “esto es un crimen contra humanidad,” dijo a Representante Geraldine Flaharty, D-Wichita. “Kansans merece mejor.” El salario mÃ-nimo del estado afecta a 19.000 trabajadores, sobre todo en servicio o los trabajos agrÃ-colas, que no son cubiertos por la ley federal del salario mÃ-nimo, segðn el departamento de estados unidos del trabajo. Pero los opositores del aumento en el salario mÃ-nimo del estado dijeron que serÃ-a demasiado costoso a las pequeñas empresas y que harÃ-a a patrones despedir a trabajadores. “este es una de las supersticiones más grandes de todos, de que si usted levanta el salario mÃ-nimo que usted está haciendo a cualquiera cualquier favor,” representante dicho Mike Kiegerl, R-Olathe del estado. Representante. Benjamin Hodge, parque de R-Overland, discutido contra el aumento que dice el estado debe evitar “cuentas del socialista del Europeo-estilo.” Un movimiento anterior para eliminar un salario mÃ-nimo del estado falló 56-62. Veintiocho estados tienen tarifas de salario mÃ-nimo del estado más arriba que el mÃ-nimo federal. Dieciseis estados han fijado su tarifa del estado en el salario federal y cinco no tienen ningðn salario mÃ-nimo; esos incluyen son Alabama, Luisiana, Mississippi, Carolina del Sur y Tennessee. De estados con un mÃ-nimo del estado, solamente Kansas es más bajo que el salario federal. Kansas no ha aumentado su salario mÃ-nimo del estado desde 1988. El congreso tambien está considerando el aumentar del mÃ-nimo federal a $7.25 por hora, que serÃ-a el primer aumento en 10 años. Para los demócratas de la casa, la derrota del aumento redujo una de sus metas para la sesión.
take that kansas!
21 February 2007
at 11:29 p.m.
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white_mountain (Anonymous) says…
can the anti-English only people provide a translation for us please?
22 February 2007
at 12:06 a.m.
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jprich (Anonymous) says…
I love this:
“… five [states] have no minimum wage; those include are Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee.”
Who wouldn't be proud to be just above this group of states?!
22 February 2007
at 12:24 a.m.
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jprich (Anonymous) says…
Do I need to spell it out?
22 February 2007
at 6:29 a.m.
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rednekbuddha (Kelly Powell) says…
yes you do….
22 February 2007
at 7:58 a.m.
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autie (Anonymous) says…
For white_mountain..simply scroll back to the top for translation. Flip off the fear switch and flip on the brain switch and maybe learn a few words in espanol.
22 February 2007
at 8:26 a.m.
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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
“Agnostick…are you also Dambudzo?
“I'm confused by the 6:45 pm post.”
____________________________________________
No, mike, I am not Dambudzo. We're two completely different people.
I'm the level-headed one who uses his brain more often than not. That's the easiest way to tell us apart.
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
22 February 2007
at 8:55 a.m.
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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
monkeyspunk blathers:
“Uh…and you probably made more than $2.65 per hour after you calculate tips that you most likely did not claim on your taxes. Am I right? Most good servers and bar tenders make well over what the salaried workers and some managers make in the service industy.
“Worked in the front and back of the house and managed, I KNOW how it works. Quit your crying.”
_____________________________________________
I worked for a well-known national restaurant chain that was, at the time, owned by a major international food company (General Mills). Several things you've obviously forgotten from the experience you *claim*:
1) Some nights are better than others. True, there were occasionally shifts where I walked out with ridiculous amounts of cash. There were also shifts where business was slow. Wait staff was staggered: Two or three clocked in at 4pm, another at 4:30, maybe two or three more at 5pm, two more at 5:30, and then the “closers” came on @ 6pm, right as the major dinner rush was getting underway. If you came in early, and business was slow, you were the first ones sent home by the dining room manager. You could easily walk out with as little as $8 in your pocket from waiting on two or three tables.
2) It was in the mid- to late-1980s that the IRS started cracking down on tip declarations by restaurant staff, bartenders, bellhops, hair stylists etc. We had to fill out and sign a book at the end of every shift, declaring our tips. From what I saw, there was very little low-balling of these numbers. Furthermore, some guests that paid with credit cards added the tip to their charge slip; we collected these tips at the end of our shift, from the cashier up front. Again, these were written in a ledger and tracked—we had to sign off, of course, when we collected this money from the cashier.
3) The art and practice of tipping is something that is learned. If you were raised by parents that didn't believe in it, chances are you stiff most wait staff yourself, and your will children copy your habits 20 years down the road. Some restaurants automatically add gratuity to larger tables (usually “8 or more”), but there are many that do not.
[more]
22 February 2007
at 8:55 a.m.
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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
4) As the last point of quality control before a plate of food hits the table, a good waiter or waitress can often transform a couple of grouchy diners into happy, satisfied dinner guests with the right timing and placement of drinks, appetizers etc. The adage that we were taught is that there is a “tip meter” on the table, and the numbers go up or down depending on what YOU do. There are some things, however, that you have no control over—this is especially true when the kitchen is frakkin' something up. If the kitchen gets behind and your plates come up in 20 minutes, rather than the expected 10, guests will notice and downgrade the tip accordingly. In really bad situations, a visit to the table by the manager can sometimes help pull your keister out of the fire. But you do *NOT* “earn 15-20% tips on all meals they serve regardless of how poor the service is.” That's a crock!
Sure, I probably made more than minimum wage—but unless you get a job at a very, very swanky restaurant, or tending bar at the most popular nightclub in town, it's not a business you get rich in.
Regardless, I resent the implication by the extremist crackpot known as “Bowhunter” that every waiter/waitress makes “15-20% tips on all meals they serve regardless of how poor the service is.” That's simply not the case, and clearly indicates somebody who's mouthing off about something which they have never experienced.
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
22 February 2007
at 8:58 a.m.
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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
Bottom line for the minimum wage bill:
The extreme Right Wing is doing their very best to eliminate the Middle Class. This is achieved by corporate welfare, “golden parachutes,” and the rewarding of high corruption and embezzlement at one end… and the institutionalization of “slave labor” at the other end.
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
22 February 2007
at 10:14 a.m.
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Mauidreaming (Anonymous) says…
Typical republicans and their not giving a crap about anyone but themselves.
I too, would like to know who voted it down.
Also, we don't need to go after the illegals in this country. That is a losing battle. What we need to do is go after the slaughterhouse owners like Tyson and similar companies that go down to Mexico and ship these desperate people up to the states to do the crap work that most people in this country won't do. I'd like to see just what the percentage is of Americans working on the kill floor and other areas of these dispicable companies compared to illegal Mexicans. I'm sure it is mostly illegal Mexicans.
And what I find hilarious is when companies like Tyson are interviewed about this issue, they play stupid and act like they know nothing about illegals working for them. They know darn good and well what's going on, especially when they send their own recruiters and buses down to Mexico to recruit these illegals and bring them up here. Start fining the crap out of these companies and shutting down their businesses for a day, and then you'll see the illegals population decline. This is such a no brainer folks!!!
22 February 2007
at 8:20 p.m.
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youngitized (Anonymous) says…
There is one Republican who voted for the wage increase: Dale Swenson out of Wichita