May 30, 2021
The following statement on the need to increase the state’s minimum wage should be attributed to Representative Zakiya Summers (D-68):
To ensure that workers, families, and businesses prosper, it is imperative that Mississippi adopt new measures that invest in people. A vital piece to that is raising the minimum wage. For the past two sessions, I have introduced legislation to do just that. The “Mississippi Minimum Wage Law” bill (HB 343 – 2021 session) would raise the wage for workers in businesses with 30 people or less to $10.50 and for businesses with more than 30 people to $15.00, phased in over four years. In addition, tipped workers would also receive an increase over the same time frame. This legislation is designed to pay all workers more while keeping in mind the plight of small business owners.
A knee-jerk reaction to Mississippi’s current unemployment situation, by opting out of federal benefits, is unwise without further study. Mississippi needs real solutions that keep people’s quality of life at the forefront. A good way to start is to consider implementing high-leverage, evidence-based strategies.
I truly believe that Mississippians are ready to get back to work with the right supports in place, like childcare, liveable wages, and safe workplaces. And I certainly believe that Mississippians support a minimum wage increase. Increased minimum wage would ensure that low-wage workers share the benefits of economic growth. According to the Economic Policy Institute, “The bulk of recent economic research on the minimum wage, as well as the best scholarship, establishes that prior increases have had little to no negative consequences and instead have meaningfully raised the pay of the low-wage workforce.” Additionally, minimum wage workers are disproportionately women and people of color, and majority adults. Without an increase in minimum wage, we are perpetuating those living in poverty in Mississippi.
When Mississippi is healthy – financially, academically, and medically – we all win.
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