Press Release from Rep-elect Shuler

Congressman-Elect Heath Shuler Promises Support of Minimum Wage Increase in First 100 Hours of New Congress

Asheville, NC – Congressman-Elect Heath Shuler said today he will vote to increase the federal minimum wage to $7.25 within the first 100 hours of legislative business when the 110^th Congress begins this January at a news conference with community and labor leaders from across Western North Carolina. “It has been ten long years since Congress last raised the minimum wage for our working families,” said Shuler. “That is the longest period between raises in the minimum wage since it was first enacted in 1938. The time has come for Congress to stand up for our working families by raising the minimum wage, and that will be one of my top priorities after I am sworn in to the 110^th Congress.” Shuler, who campaigned heavily on the issue of raising the minimum wage, pointed out that due to inflation the minimum wage is worth less now than at any time during the past 51 years. “Our working families are being squeezed,” Shuler said. “They are paying more at the gas pump, more for child care, and more for health care, while we ship jobs oversees and wages are stagnant. North Carolina, along with many other states, has already taken a lead on this issue. Now, it’s time for Congress to raise the minimum wage for all of America’s working families. North Carolina raised the state minimum wage $1.00 in 2006. Currently twenty-eight states have minimum wages that exceed the federal minimum. States with minimum wages above the federal level have seen small business employment and employment overall grew faster than in other states. States with higher minimum wages have also shown higher wages and equal employment levels to states with the federal minimum wage. Shuler also reiterated his support for closing the “doughnut hole” in the Medicare Prescription Drug plan which is forcing 245,000 North Carolina seniors to pay full price for the prescriptions, while still paying their plan’s monthly premium. “The Medicare Prescription Drug plan should be focused on helping our seniors, not protecting the profits of the big drug companies,” Shuler said.

I have decided to post press releases from NC congressmen on this blog. I certainly agree with this press release, and feel it is a step in the right direction.