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Legislators say minimum wage increase would not hurt small businesses

Date: 11/26/2013

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

WEST SPRINGFIELD – Most of the legislators interviewed during the annual legislative reception sponsored by the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) on Nov. 21 agreed the state’s minimum wage should be increased, but stressed that it be done in a way that won’t hurt small business.

Earlier in the week at his address to chamber members, Gov. Deval Patrick said, “I do [support] an increase in the minimum wage and I support the senate’s proposal. I think that the ideal outcome would be some companion action on unemployment insurance reform to bring our own system in closer line with what other states do ... having those two things in the same bill or two bills that come quite close together would be a really good thing.”

The Senate had passed a bill that would increase the minimum wage in the state from $8 an hour to $11 an hour by 2016. After that year, any future increase would be linked to the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast. The issue now goes to the House of Representatives.

Nancy Creed, vice president of Marketing and Communications for the ACCGS, said the organization is watching the issue and is surveying its members on their opinions.

State Sen. James Welch said that although members of the Senate would like to see the minimum wage increased and unemployment insurance reform, “it was important to us in the Senate to pass legislation only increasing the minimum wage.”

Welch explained the action focused attention on restoring a minimum wage that would be a “fair and livable wage.”

State Rep. Angelo Puppolo Jr. said he believes an increase to the minimum wage could be offset by unemployment insurance reform.

“Overall, we need to have a bit on each side of the equation,” he added.

Both state Reps. Joseph Wagner and John Scibak believe an increase in the wage must be paired with the reform on unemployment insurance costs.

“If we pass the two, it will be a win-win situation,” Scibak said.

State Rep. Brian Ashe said there should be an increase in the wage levels, but the question will be “how quickly, how aggressively it goes.”

He continued, “We don’t want to cripple small business ... Whatever we do it has to be in moderation.”