Eva M. Clayton: “the distance between low- and high-income families is growing. We must act now to close that gap. If we do not act, the…”

“the distance between low- and high-income families is growing. We must act now to close that gap. If we do not act, the cost of basic necessities--housing, food, and clothing--may be unaffordable for these families. Those costs are rising. Earnings for low-income families are falling. An increase in the minimum wage, as proposed by the President, will help to close the gap. With no minimum wage increase, those with little money end up with less money. An increase in the minimum wage will not provide plenty, but it can raise working families out of poverty. In 1993, high-income families averaged $104,616 in earnings. Low-income families averaged $12,964. Between 1980 and 1992, income for the top 20 percent in America increased by 16 percent while income for the bottom 20 percent decreased by 7 percent. An increase in the minimum wage will help low-income families, but it will not hurt high-income families. The growing income gap hurts the economy. The best welfare reform is minimum wage reform. Low-income workers are helped. The economy is helped. No one is hurt. If we want to help people, we should help them and not hurt them.”