![\"capitol-logo\"](\"http:\/\/lastbestnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/Capitol-logo.jpeg\"){kind=logo}
<\/a>Minimum-wage increase debated<\/h4>\n<\/a>Minimum-wage increase debated<\/h4>\nLawmakers in Helena are trying to figure out how much the cost of a hamburger would go up if they raised the state\u2019s minimum wage.<\/p>\n
House Bill 169 would raise the minimum wage to a little more than $10 an hour, almost $2 more than the current level. That has some small-business owners worried.<\/p>\n
Bennington Ward is the owner of the Golden Harvest Caf\u00e9 in Dutton. He says an increase in the minimum wage would also increase overhead costs for business owners.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s just a lot more than $2 an hour I\u2019m going to be shelling out if the wage increases to this amount,\u201d Ward said.<\/p>\n
Ward says some of his staff have turned down higher-paying job offers\u2014mainly because they were making more with tips at the restaurant. Montana does not collect data on the amount an employee earns in tips.<\/p>\n
But Jules Shindel, the organizing director for the Montana Human Rights Network and Montana Women Vote, called the current minimum wage unlivable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea that minimum-wage workers are just teenagers with working jobs, or college students working over the summer, is an enormous myth,\u201d Shindel said.<\/p>\n
The organizations she represents focus on promoting human rights and the needs of low-income women and families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese hard-working Montanans\u2014they serve our food, they keep the lines moving at the grocery store, they care for our children and for our elderly neighbors\u2014they deserve our respect, and that starts with the right to take care of themselves,\u201d Shindel said.<\/p>\n
While most supporters of the bill argued that these jobs were being increasingly held by adults, opponents maintained otherwise. Helena Chamber of Commerce lobbyist Ronda Wiggers argued these entry-level positions are important for people just joining the workforce.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to Sen. (Brian) Hoven\u2019s patience, my son now knows how to run a push broom, but I would argue that he really wasn\u2019t worth much more than minimum wage,\u201d Wiggers said.<\/p>\n
Democratic Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell is the sponsor of the bill. She says the proposed wage increase is nowhere near a living wage in Montana, but it\u2019s a start.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not near that, but it\u2019s something and for 96,000 Montanans, it will help\u201420 percent of Montana\u2019s workforce,\u201d Dunwell said.<\/p>\n
Freddy Monares is a reporter with the UM Legislative News Service, a partnership of the University of Montana School of Journalism, the Montana Broadcasters Association and the Greater Montana Foundation.<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Imagine driving your car while talking on your cell phone, then getting pulled over, ticketed and fined for it. Right now, cities and towns in Montana can individually decide whether or not that\u2019s lawful.<\/p>\n
![\"CapreAir_Variable\"](\"http:\/\/lastbestnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/201703_capeair_variable.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"