[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 2, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H11205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MINIMUM WAGE HIKE IS UNNECESSARY

  (Mr. KNOLLENBERG asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remind my colleagues 
of a few reasons that a minimum wage hike is unnecessary. Raising the 
minimum wage harms the very people that it is supposed to help.
  U.S. Census figures show that the average income of minimum wage 
employees increases by 30 percent within 1 year of employment. Why? 
Because, as these workers spend time in the workplace, they accumulate 
more skills and increase their own value. Just plain common sense.
  That is why less than 3 percent of employees above the age of 30 work 
at the minimum wage. The longer they are in the work force, the more 
money they make.
  Madam Speaker, there are better ways to empower the poorest and least 
skilled in our society. Tax incentives for working Americans and 
businesses are just one way. Raising the minimum wage is clearly the 
wrong way.
  I urge my colleagues to keep these important factors in mind as the 
House debates a minimum wage hike in the future.

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