It’s time to raise the wage

Having grown up in poverty and being raised by a single mother, I remember sitting around the kitchen table with my family and having to make tough decisions about how the bills were going to get paid. This is one of the reasons that I have worked so hard as your Congressman to help grow the economy and create high quality, good paying jobs here in Iowa.

But we need to do more. Working families who are earning the minimum wage can no longer meet the basic standards of living. We must raise the minimum wage and make sure it adjusts to the cost of living.

I have been working since I came to Congress to raise the minimum wage. In fact, I was honored to support increasing the federal minimum wage to $7.25 the last time Congress acted on it in 2009. Unfortunately, it hasn't changed since. In these tough economic times, far too many Iowa families are working hard, but still struggling to make ends meet. We must raise the minimum wage so hardworking Iowa families can maintain a basic standard of living.

I firmly believe that this is necessary to grow an economy that works for all Iowans, and all workers should be guaranteed a livable wage. That is why I support the leadership of the Johnson County Supervisors on their work locally to give workers a raise that is long overdue. For me it is simple. Anyone who works 40 hours a week should not live in poverty.

According to research from the nonpartisan Iowa Policy Project, three-quarters of Iowa's single parents earn less than enough to get by. In 2014, a single parent with two children in Iowa needed $28.07 an hour to cover basic expenses and not have to rely on public supports. Raising the minimum wage isn't about giving teenagers extra spending money, it is about giving hardworking families enough money to survive.

Now is the time for action. If Republicans in the U.S. Congress are unwilling to act and give a raise to millions of hardworking Americans, then it is time for state and local governments to step up. Raising the minimum wage in stages gives employers time to adjust while also giving a needed boost to the local economy. Families across Iowa and our nation have waited long enough. I am pleased to stand with the Johnson County Supervisors in guaranteeing a livable wage for all workers.

' Congressman Dave Loebsack represents Iowa's Second Congressional District. He can be reached at 202-225-6575; loebsack.house.gov/contact