San Jose Shows: It’s Time to #RaiseTheWage

Republicans in Congress may continue to refuse Americans a minimum wage increase, but they cannot ignore the positive impact residents in San Jose have so far experienced.  From USA Today:

Cherry Lunario, a home care worker in San Jose…says…the [minimum wage] bump…did enhance her quality of life…allowing her to afford dental care…

"It makes your life…better."

Interviews with San Jose workers, businesses and industry officials show it has improved the lives of affected employees…

The city's experience could help inform a debate over a controversial proposal backed by President Obama to raise the federal minimum wage by a roughly similar amount — from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour — that remains stalled in Congress due to Republican opposition.

"It's a big difference in people's lives," says Derecka Mehrens, head of Working Partnerships USA. "The (wage) floor needs to be set at a rate at which people can survive."

Chuck Hammers, who owns five Pizza My Heart outlets in the city with about 115 employees, says…"It's a huge benefit that you've got people with much more experience, and they give great service…"

Congress must follow suit and #RaiseTheWage for low-income and middle class families, for Americans everywhere.  Instead of blocking and obstructing efforts to increase the minimum wage, Republicans must work with Democrats to lift Americans out of poverty and increase their quality of life.