Jackson Free Press

Read my response to Lott's failure to support the first minimum wage increase in nine years.

PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE FLEMING FOR US SENATE CAMPAIGN

TO: All Mississippi Media
FROM: Representative Erik R. Fleming, D-Clinton (601) 488-0364, (601) 473-9067
DATE: June 22, 2006
RE: Fleming says Lott’s “NO” vote on minimum wage increase not in Mississippi’s best interests

CLINTON, MS—-State Representative Erik R. Fleming, D-Clinton, a Democratic candidate for the US Senate in 2006, offered a response today to US Senator Trent Lott’s vote against the measure to increase the federal minimum wage on June 21, 2006.

Fleming said: "Trent Lott has proven once again that he does not have the best interest of Mississippi at heart. On June 21, 2006, for the ninth consecutive time, the junior senator from Mississippi has voted against increasing the federal minimum wage from $5.15 an hour, denying an improvement in the quality of life for some 364,000 Mississippians.

“Mississippi is the poorest state in the nation, with 25 percent of its population living below the federal poverty level. A minimum wage earner makes annually $10,700, some $6,000 below the federal poverty level. Lott’s vote against the wage increase will continue to hinder Mississippi families in their quest to have a better life.

“Since 1997, Lott has voted against increasing the minimum wage, while his salary has increased $30,000 and his personal wealth is now valued at somewhere between $1.2 million and $2.3 million.

“If I am elected to the United States Senate, I will support the plan to increase the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour. I have consistently introduced legislation in the Mississippi House of Representatives to establish a state minimum wage 15 percent higher than the federal minimum wage.

“I have also been an advocate for the elimination of the tax on overtime income, which would put more money in the pockets of some 455,000 Mississippians, so my desire to help Mississippians have a better life is clear.

“It should be crystal clear now to the voters that Mr. Lott, by his actions yesterday, does not share that same desire.”

—30—

Previous Comments

ID

170287

Comment

Can't disagree here. Even Mayor Brown, the Republican candidate in District 2, supports a minimum wage increase. Anyone who cares about poor communities in Jackson has to at least consider the idea. That said, I think Mississippi probably shouldn't have a higher minimum wage than the national average; the cost of living is low enough here that an equitable minimum wage policy (which we don't currently have) would benefit us substantially more than it would benefit residents of most other states. Better to focus on the national struggle, difficult though it is to do under the current leadership. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-06-23T14:56:05-06:00

ID

170288

Comment

Raising the Minimum above the national average would kill job creation here. Not that's it's gotten past undead in recent years, but... I'm torn on this one. One shouldn't settle for a job that pays straight minimum wage, and if you did raise it wouldn't prices and everything else go up too?

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-06-23T16:13:14-06:00

ID

170289

Comment

Chief executives of U.S. corporations earned 262 times the pay of the average worker in 2005, the second-highest level in the 40 years the data's been kept, an economic research group said this week. Last year, the average CEO was paid $10.9 million a year, or 262 times an average worker's earnings of $41,861, the Economic Policy Institute said Wednesday. The research group also found a CEO earned more in one workday in 2005 than an average worker earned in 52 weeks. The group includes salary, bonuses, stock options and other payments in its definition of CEO pay. ----------------------------------------------------------- A lot of poor people have experienced the trickle down and are tired of being pissed on..

Author

JAC

Date

2006-06-23T16:51:23-06:00

ID

170290

Comment

Just stopping by to congratulate you on winning the primary on Tuesday. I would have voted for you if I didn't forget to go to the polls. I think I need to start playing BrainAge or something.

Author

L.W.

Date

2006-06-29T13:07:07-06:00

ID

170291

Comment

A lot of poor people have experienced the trickle down and are tired of being pissed on.. LOL!!!

Author

L.W.

Date

2006-06-29T13:08:16-06:00