Minimum-Wage Vote Probably Delayed in Senate, Harkin Says

[Purveyor]

Source: Bloomberg

The Senate probably will delay until late March a vote on a proposal to raise the U.S. minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, said bill sponsor Senator Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat.

The delay until senators return March 24 from a week-long break provides more time for labor unions to organize support for the measure, said a Senate Democratic leadership aide, who sought anonymity to discuss strategy.

Another consequence of the holdup is that it gives more time to Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, who said she’s seeking bipartisan support for a less costly measure.

“I haven’t settled on particular numbers,” Collins said in an interview. “I’m just trying to figure out what would do the most, in terms of not creating disincentives for employers to create jobs, and to help some of the low-income families.”

Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, said he’s meeting with Collins and other lawmakers to find an agreement. Manchin said he supported an increase to $10.10.





Read more: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-02-25/minimum-wage-vote-probably-to-be-delayed-in-senate-harkin-says

[wocaonimabi]

1. A bunch of time was wasted during the ACA with Collins and trying to achieve bipartisan support

which means in the end no minimum wage increase.

Bipartianship is a grand waste of time, just vote the pubs, conservatives, moderates and centrists out and the problem is solved.

[daybranch]

4. I agree

$10.10 is already a compromise between what minimum wage would have grown to with inflation increases since its implementation and what it is already. Dems come off trying to find reasonable position before start, in effect compromising overrides fairness and preference, and then their position is regarded as maximum it could possibly be, Again democrats are helping big business keep outrageous profits as they hold down wages for workers. It may sound good, but bipartisan is just an excuse to cater to corporate interests. When are people going to see that having a Centrist position at the start of any negotiation only moves the end result to the right? Is it so important to so many to start looking reasonable when the finish is what matters and to start in the middle only allows movement to the right? Please God protect us from our so called Centrists democrats. At least Blue Dogs are visible.

[Coyotl]

2. It also allows the practical deadlines for state initiative drives to pass. We need to act now

and get this on as many state ballots as possible for the 2014 elections. We cannot count on the Republicans in the House to cave.

[Purveyor]

3. There is a very good chance it will be on the Michigan ballot come November.

If so, it will give a boost to voter turnout that normally doesn't show up for non-presidential elections.

De-criminalizing pot may also be on the ballot for an extra kicker.