By Amanda Holpuch
The Guardian, May 25, 2020

... The March coronavirus stimulus package provided an extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits for four months for the now 39 million people who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic ... Last year, the weekly payment for unemployment was on average nearly $378, according to the US labor department. Come August, the workers who aren’t making more on unemployment will suddenly face an even bigger drop in pay.

Outside of politicians, some small businesses who are struggling to hire back workers have complained that their employees won’t return...

By Jake Burns
CBS 6 News, WTVR-TV, Richmond, May 5, 2020

Virginia businesses are weighing two difficult options, one day after Governor Ralph Northam extended his closure order to May 15th: open their doors with restrictions to start making money again, or remain closed to protect the health of their employees and customers.

Alex Zavaleta and his co-owner at Charm School Social Club, an ice cream shop in downtown Richmond, have been hand scooping to-go pints for weeks after having to lay off their staff in mid-March when the virus began spreading in Virginia.

“We had...

Op-Ed by John Schall
Boston Globe, April 28, 2020

COVID-19 and the resulting public health ban on dining out have plunged American restaurants into a crisis that many won’t survive. Those that remain open have become dependent on third-party delivery services. But the dominance of a few delivery companies creates its own dire financial threat to the survival of the very restaurants they serve. ...

In the United States, four restaurant delivery companies — DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats, and Postmates — control 99 percent of the restaurant delivery market, a classic oligopoly. ... As a result...

Bloomberg Radio, April 24, 2020
By John Tucker

Interview with John Pepper, CEO, Boloco, on what the business is doing to survive the pandemic.

Letter to the Editor by Emily Kanter
Boston Globe, March 11, 2020

Below is an incomplete list of all the people who cannot “work from home” and who run the risk of their livelihoods being drastically affected if our local, state, and federal governments do not act to create broad-based economic solutions to support all this “social distancing” we’re talking about.

These employees’ livelihoods require showing up, and most small businesses, like mine, are not able to provide for all employees, en masse, to suddenly take two (or eight) weeks of paid leave. Until governments...

Op-Ed By Victoria McCoy, Owner, Glamystique Hair Salon
My business isn’t just a bottom-line operation, it’s my community. And like my business, my community could use the economic boost that would come from raising the minimum wage statewide to $15 an hour. ...

Op-Ed By Ward Tefft, Owner, Chop Suey Books
... There is simply no more direct and rapid way to boost consumer spending and strengthen Virginia’s business environment than to raise the minimum wage statewide. ...

By Tyler Arnold
The Center Square, Feb 12, 2020. Also The Central Virginian, The Breeze (James Madison University)

The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have passed bills that would increase the commonwealth's minimum wage, but the chambers aren't on the same page in how to implement the increase.

The House version, House Bill 395, would more than double the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour across the whole state over the course of five years. The increase would be implemented incrementally: $10 in July 2020, $11.25 in July 2021, $12 in July...

By Ally Schweitzer
WAMU, Feb 11 2020

The Virginia House of Delegates has approved a bill that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 by 2025. Legislation sponsored by Del. Jeion Ward (D-Hampton) passed the chamber 55-45 Tuesday. ...

The Virginia Interfaith Center, progressive groups and the organization Business for a Fair Minimum Wage applauded the bill’s passage.

“Raising the minimum wage will boost the consumer spending that businesses need to survive and thrive,” said Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage in a statement. “Today, lawmakers stood up for the economic...

By Vernon Freeman Jr.
WTVR-TV (CBS), Feb 11, 2020

RICHMOND, Va. – A bill that would gradually raise Virginia's minimum hourly wage to $15.00 per hour, is one step closer to becoming state law. The Virginia House passed HB 395 along a party line vote Tuesday afternoon, 55-45. ...

However, other groups like, Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, applauded the House’s passage of the bill.

“Raising the minimum wage will boost the consumer spending that businesses need to survive and thrive,” said Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. “In addition, when businesses...

 By Seth Sandronsky
Progressive Populist, Feb 1, 2020

A new year is bringing higher wages to many folks who labor for a living in America. Nearly seven million US workers out of a paid labor force of 157 million are getting minimum wage hikes in 25 states and the District of Columbia in 2020. Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, a national advocacy group, backs that hourly pay increase partly for how it can cut employee turnover and reduce the price tag to hire and train new workers.

Holly Sklar is the CEO of Business...

By Amanda Parris
Dover Post (DE), Jan 29, 2020

When it comes to raising the the minimum pay rate, living wage arguments are at the forefront with business owners concerned about how it will affect them, while legislators want to find a balance that works for everyone. ...

Courtney Sunborn, owner of Ecolistic Cleaning in Lewes, said she has had success paying a living wage. Her employees, who she said are paid well above minimum wage, are more invested in their work.

“I wish I could share with other small business owners the success I have with a higher...

By Dan Brook
Medium, Jan 21, 2020

Minimum wage workers are being hit hard by low pay and rising costs. It’s been over 80 years since the United States introduced a minimum wage and over 10 years since it became a measly $7.25, while the cost of living has increased 18% since 2009 (and an even larger 26% for food and a punishing 65% for education). The minimum wage is a poverty wage, not keeping up with the economy — let alone corporate profits, stock prices, worker productivity, and CEO salaries — and it continues...

By Andy Koen
KOAA News, Jan 17, 2020

COLORADO SPRINGS — Thousands of Coloradans are getting bigger paychecks this month. The state's minimum wage rose to $12 per hour on New Year's Day. It is the fourth structured minimum wage increase to occur under Amendment 70, which was passed by voters in 2016. ...

Higher wages have been a consistent part of Richard Skorman's business model for his four downtown enterprises. He said he purposely pays his 55 employees a living wage and benefits as a matter of principle. That decision has some benefits.

"It's not an...

By Melissa Steele
Cape Gazette (DE), Jan 17, 2020

... Senate Bill 105, which would raise the minimum wage $1 a year until it reaches $15 an hour in 2024, received support Jan. 14 from a Wilmington union representing cleaners and from several legislators. ...

“Increased wages will mean people are spending more and stimulating the economy from the bottom up,” said Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage.

A livable wage is something that should have been done a long time ago, said Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark. ...

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