One item on the November 8th ballot is Initiative 433, which proposes to increase the state’s minimum wage. Opinions vary - is this a good thing for Nebraska, or not?
Here are Five Fast Facts on Nebraska’s potential minimum wage increase:
- 📈 The Sitch - Initiative 433 will increase the state’s minimum wage to $15/hr between next year and 2026. They’re easing everyone into it.
- 👍These People Love It - Supporters – including the ACLU, the AFL-CIO, and the NAACP, as well as some business owners – like it because it’ll give low income workers better Paychecks. They also believe happier workers means happier customers who spend more money. That’s probably true!
- 👎These People Don’t - Opponents – including Republican lawmakers, business owners, and business groups – don’t like it because it’ll force business owners to raise prices and cut jobs (which is already happening during this time of inflation), particularly in rural areas. That’s also probably true!
- 👷 🏢 Who’s Affected? If passed, this would give a raise to about 150k workers in Nebraska. Roughly ¾ of those workers are older than 20, and 61% are women. Good times for them!
- ❓ A Big Unanswered Question - The 2nd largest employer in the state is the government, with about 171k workers. Most of them already earn over $15/hr, outside of part-time or seasonal workers. It is unclear exactly what impact this would cause on the budget. Is anyone else concerned that the government is the 2nd biggest employer in the state? Just asking for a friend.
🔥Bottom line: We love higher Paychecks, obviously. But, this minimum wage issue is tricky, and there are about as many opinions on it as there are people talking about it. Whatever you think, the most important thing is to GO VOTE on election day and make your voice heard!
Is the minimum wage increase a good thing for Nebraska, or not?
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