By Steve Raabe
The Denver Post, 02/26/2014
Raising the U.S. minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would improve the economy as well as living conditions for hundreds of thousands of Coloradans, a federal official said Wednesday at a Denver event.
"It has a positive economic impact," said Laura Fortman, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor's wage and hour division. "These (minimum-wage) workers are not investing their money in offshore accounts," Fortman said. "They are paying rent and buying groceries. If they have some extra disposable income, maybe they'll take the family out for a pizza. That helps stimulate the economy."
Fortman presided at a roundtable discussion that included representatives of labor unions, worker-advocacy groups and one restaurant owner, Marilyn Megenity of the Mercury Cafe.
"Business owners say they can't afford it," Megenity said. "But they can raise their prices, and that's what needs to happen. Businesses rely on their good workers. We're all in this together." ...
The current federal minimum wage for most U.S. workers is $7.25. In Colorado, the minimum rose Jan. 1 to $8 from $7.78, and to $4.98 from $4.76 for employees who rely on tips. ...
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948, sraabe@denverpost.com
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