Lynn C. Woolsey: “38 years ago, I was a single working mother with three small children. They were 1, 3 and 5 years old. I was receiving…”

“38 years ago, I was a single working mother with three small children. They were 1, 3 and 5 years old. I was receiving no child support, earning minimum wage. Even though I was employed, I was earning so little I needed welfare to provide my children with the child care, the health care, and the food that was necessary to keep us going. Even though I was educated, I had good job skills, I still was not earning enough to fully support my family. My story bears repeating because too many families today are in the absolute same predicament I was 38 years ago. If this Congress is truly serious about reducing dependence on welfare, let us increase the minimum wage, let us pay working parents enough to support their families and take care of themselves. Otherwise, taxpayers who pay for welfare are subsidizing employers who do not pay a livable wage. The minimum wage has not kept up with the increase in the cost of living. Workers these days can put in a full day, 40 hours a week at minimum wage and still live below the poverty level. The majority leadership in this Congress want to kick single moms and their families off welfare, and they want to cut $10 billion out of Medicaid to reduce health benefits for low-income families. A minimum wage increase is also a matter of basic fairness for millions of working Americans. It is not as if businesses are not doing well. Private business productivity has and is increasing. Profits are up, but wages are stagnant.…”