Thursday, House Democrats introduced Raise the Wage Act of 2019 (H.R. 582), mandating all employers pay employees $15/hour by 2024.
Hardworking employees deserve good wages. For several years now, I have paid my employees in my Congressional office and my family’s small business a minimum of $15/hour. I encourage my Democrat colleagues to do the same, particularly those who have co-sponsored this bill. However, when the government steps in and mandates a job position’s worth, employers are forced to cut work hours and employee numbers to offset new costs. This decision is best left to the employee and employer.
Individual states have individual needs that drive their labor forces. Factors such as cost of housing and living, product prices, and wage competition in the marketplace drive compensation rates for employees in various parts of the country. A small mom and pop shop trying to grow in Florida (where state minimum wage is $8.46,) may be crippled by having to pay a cashier $15 an hour. They would be forced to cut back hours for workers or not hire an employee at all. Setting a federal minimum wage that applies equally to Manhattan and Marion County is overreach by the federal government.
Research shows such a mandate would have a devastating effect. According to the Employment Policies Institute, Florida can expect to lose 145,653 jobs in 2020 if the federal minimum wage is $15.
With 6.9 million job openings in the U.S., hardworking employees will be able to find jobs, and companies are competing to attract good employees, including offering higher wages and benefits. Last month’s jobs report showed the fastest wage growth since 2009. A strong economy always shifts the balance of demand in favor of the employees.
 Instead of mandating an employee’s worth, we need to provide people with the education, skills and tools they need to succeed and grow in their careers, not policies that will cost millions of jobs.
Congressman Daniel Webster represents The Villages in the U.S. House of Representatives.
