Political Quotes

“I think by now everybody knows it would allow small businesses, the smallest of the small, grossing less than $500,000, the opportunity to continue to pay the minimum wage at $4.25. Businesses grossing above $500,000 would begin paying $4.75 on January 1, 1997, and $5.15 on January 1, 1998. Without this provision, this would be a retroactive minimum wage increase. As the Senator from Texas has already pointed out, it means that businesses who have laid out their plans, issued price lists, or bid on contracts will find that somebody is going around and reaching into their pockets and pulling out money that might not be there. Without the delayed effective date, it is possible that small businesses or a business of any size might find themselves working under existing arrangements, contracts, price lists, for a loss if we do the unheard of step of imposing a retroactive minimum wage. That alone, I think, mandates the passage of this amendment. In addition, we provide a training wage.”