Senator Mark Pryor Press Releases

WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Mark Pryor today voted to support hard-working families struggling to make ends meet by increasing the minimum wage by $2.10 over the next two years. Pryor said the amendment, which is part of bankruptcy reform legislation, would increase the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour over two years. He said this increase would affect 7.8 million Americans, and would amount to $4,370 a year.

“Congress has dragged its feet on a minimum wage increase long enough.” Pryor said. “Raising the wage by $2.10 is a matter of fairness. It tells struggling workers that a hard day of work counts, which is critical to a strong and efficient workforce.”

Pryor said that during the 1960s and 1970s the minimum wage was set at a level to allow full-time workers to keep their families out of poverty. However, he noted, in the eight years since the last minimum wage increase families have found it impossible to stay above the poverty line on $5.15 an hour. He said individuals who work 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year on minimum wage earn $10,700 a year – $5,000 below the poverty line for a family of three.

However, Pryor said an additional $4,370 could help workers pay for almost two years of child care, full tuition for a community college degree, a year and a half of heat and electricity, more than a year of groceries or more than nine months of rent.

“The minimum wage is supposed to be a living wage, but instead full-time workers are earning well below the poverty line,” Pryor said. “I think we can all agree the cost of living has increased over the past eight years; we’re overdue in raising the minimum wage. While $4,370 may not seem like a lot of money, it’s a start in the right direction in helping families keep their heads above water.” Pryor said he was disappointed the measure failed by a vote of 46-49. He later opposed an alternative amendment to increase the minimum wage by $1.10 an hour over two years because it rolled back important overtime and safety regulations.

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		March 7, 2005 Press Release Pryor Votes for Minimum Wage Increase for Struggling Families WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Mark Pryor today voted to support hard-working families struggling to make ends meet by increasing the minimum wage by $2.10 over the next two years. Pryor said the amendment, which is part of bankruptcy reform legislation, would increase the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour over two years. He said this increase would affect 7.8 million Americans, and would amount to $4,370 a year. “Congress has dragged its feet on a minimum wage increase long enough.” Pryor said. “Raising the wage by $2.10 is a matter of fairness. It tells struggling workers that a hard day of work counts, which is critical to a strong and efficient workforce.” Pryor said that during the 1960s and 1970s the minimum wage was set at a level to allow full-time workers to keep their families out of poverty. However, he noted, in the eight years since the last minimum wage increase families have found it impossible to stay above the poverty line on $5.15 an hour. He said individuals who work 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year on minimum wage earn $10,700 a year – $5,000 below the poverty line for a family of three. However, Pryor said an additional $4,370 could help workers pay for almost two years of child care, full tuition for a community college degree, a year and a half of heat and electricity, more than a year of groceries or more than nine months of rent. “The minimum wage is supposed to be a living wage, but instead full-time workers are earning well below the poverty line,” Pryor said. “I think we can all agree the cost of living has increased over the past eight years; we’re overdue in raising the minimum wage. While $4,370 may not seem like a lot of money, it’s a start in the right direction in helping families keep their heads above water.” Pryor said he was disappointed the measure failed by a vote of 46-49. He later opposed an alternative amendment to increase the minimum wage by $1.10 an hour over two years because it rolled back important overtime and safety regulations. --30-- ###