The new year swiftly approaches with its annual opportunity to start fresh — or not, depending on your state of mind or maybe just your state.
Here in North Carolina, the calendar shift will bring with it plenty of statutory shuffling for citizens to either grapple with or proceed into 2015 without knowing the difference. In most cases, that will be fine, thank you, but not in all.
Beginning this week there are changes in the state’s law books affecting areas from taxes, to real estate to elections and beyond. There are myriad adjustments to state processes as delineated in detail in the General Assembly’s report on enacted legislation from its last session.
But one area staying the same this year is becoming more important to this state because of changes occurring in other states. Without action, this could mean bad business down the road.
North Carolina, like most states, has its own minimum wage determined by state statute. In the Tar Heel state, it is set at the same level as the federal rate, $7.25 per hour. On its face, this appears to be a reasonable, middle-of-the-road approach.
However, the trend is against us. This week in 21 states the minimum wage rate is increasing. In many of these states, the minimum wage already was higher than the national rate.
But importantly for North Carolina, seven of the 17 states with rates at or lower than the federal rate in 2014 are increasing their rates this week. Those seven are Arkansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, Hawaii, Maryland, Vermont and West Virginia.
That leaves North Carolina in a dwindling group of wage-challenged states. There are three states with rates set by law lower than the federal rate, and there are five states with no such laws. All of these lower-wage states are in the South except for Wyoming.
With the economy on an upward tick and public optimism trending higher, now is not the time to play it too close to the vest. The General Assembly as it convenes next month should look carefully at making a positive statement about North Carolina’s work environment by tweaking upward the state’s minimum wage law.
Even a relatively token gesture would at least suggest to those concerned about their pay and looking to relocate that this state is among those knowing the importance of paying workers a fair, living wage — while still being fair to employers bearing the cost.
Ignoring this national trend sends the message that our door is closed and don’t bother to knock.
http://www.reflector.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-consider-state-wage-law-2745851
