Kelsey Briggs
Nov. 15, 2018
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Committee members of the House of Representatives plan to bring OSU-531, or “The Fair Wage Act” to the chamber floor. Committee members agree that the bill will spark a major debate as the freshmen bill.
OSU-531 describes the benefits or raising minimum wage in the state of Oklahoma from its current wage of $7.25/hour to $10.50/hour. The amount is set to increase 1 percent annually. This increase in 10 years would ultimately lead to the minimum wage rising to $11.46/hour with a continual rise to the not only the minimum wage but the cost of living in Oklahoma. Wages are not to increase past 1 percent minimum each year.
“This will effect small businesses, someone has to fight for the little man. Minimum wage is based off the cost of living, therefore, Oklahoma’s minimum wage is appropriate for their cost of living,” said Blake Blanton, House of Representative and two-star member.
Inflating the price of the minimum wage will harm small businesses in Oklahoma. Businesses on sole ownership will take the hardest economic hit through the new bill due to an inability to pay for more than two employees at a time. Businesses such as small boutiques or locally owned coffee shops cannot afford certain pay raises due to the financial strain they already face as a privately owned company. They’re profit margins are not the same as large corporations due the absence of stockholders and public investors.
The idea of raising the minimum wage 1 percent is based off of the principle of maintaining the same level as national inflation rates. While minors are exempt from this pay raise, concerns arise from house members that the bill, if passed, may change the course of living for Oklahomans. If companies do not comply by the new rules, a $1000 fine will be enforced each day the new law is not implemented.
OSU-531 will allow more families to move from a lower to a middle class status. The pay raise is set to aid in the financial troubles of lower and middle class families. If passed, businesses will prepare to adjust to the new financial standards. The bill will be effective January 2020. House members are set to vote on the bill Nov. 15 in the chamber.