Hilda L. Solis: “I also rise to ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so we can begin a discussion about the minimum…”

“I also rise to ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so we can begin a discussion about the minimum wage and the need to provide for the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which would raise the minimum wage to $7.25. In 60 days after enactment, it would go to $5.85. In 1 year it would go to $6.55. And in 1 year after that, it would go to $7.25. In the State of California that I represent, currently the minimum wage is at $6.75, and I can tell the Members that sometime back our legislature at one point did not want to enact reform in terms of providing minimum wage increases; so we went directly to the voters. We passed an initiative back in 1996 and were able to get support both from Republicans and from different religious denominations, labor groups, and just about everybody. They saw that it was reasonable to provide a minimum wage increase to those that deserve it the most; and we are talking particularly about women, women who are in many cases the sole earner, bread winner for their families, families ranging anywhere from two to three children, trying to survive on a minimum wage. Republicans joined us at that time, and I know that many would believe that this is not a burden on them and it is something that should be provided for all individuals. I can tell the Members that right now there are millions, 4.3 million, since President Bush took office, that are currently living in poverty. Nearly 36 million people, 13 million children.…”