Angel Bass
apperson@valdosta.edu

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Website, minimum wage was increased in July to $5.85. This is the first increase in more than 10 years. From 1991-1996, the minimum wage was $4.75. Some people may think: “How can I live on this?”

“I think it is a sign that the government is addressing a problem that we have had with wages,” Meghan Woods, senior English major, said. “They are notoriously to low. They need to continue to make steps in the right direction and go higher.”

Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee are the only states that do not have a minimum wage law. Living in a non-minimum wage state has advantages and disadvantages. Not knowing what you should be getting paid can really affect the way that you live.

VSU’s economic impact is more than $331.7 million a year.

The cost of living is a growing concern of college students who work and have bills to pay.
“My parents do not help me with any bills,” Sasha Moore, junior math major, said. “I mean, they simply can’t afford it. I have to make at least $8.50 per hour in order to live comfortably and have extra money in my pocket. My personal bills alone equal about $550 a month.”

The debate about minimum wage has been an ongoing issue for a long time. Everyone who works for an hourly wage will be affected by the new law.

According to the Labor Law Center, a final bill still needs to be sent to President Bush for approval before the increase will take effect. If the President signs the bill, the Federal Minimum Wage increase will officially become a new law and an increase will take affect in 60 days.

The breakdown of the increase will be $5.85 sixty days after the new increase is signed into law, then $6.55 a year later and finally $7.25 a year after that. If the new law is implemented, minimum wage will increase annually.

“It is good that it went up because I work a minimum wage job on campus,” Jessica E. Counts, finance major, said. “It’s horrible that it took so long and that it is still low.”

Minimum wage increasing is not always positive. Since minimum wage is increasing, expect for other prices to be raised as well. Don’t be surprised if your landlord suddenly has an increase in rent. Just imagine what will happen next.