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Presidential Candidate Ben Carson Proposes Indexing the Minimum Wage


For those keeping track, the campaign for President has produced a few noteworthy proposals on the labor & employment law front recently.  In the past few weeks, Carly Fiorina voiced her opposition to mandatory maternity leave (Carly Fiorina Against Mandatory Maternity Leave) and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker proposed a host of measures intended to limit the power of unions (Scott Walker Proposes Changes to the Union Landscape).  

At last night's Republican Presidential Debate in Simi Valley, California, candidate Ben Carson was presented with a question about minimum wage in the United States.  Carson stated that he was "probably" or "possibly" in favor of raising the minimum wage and suggested the federal minimum wage should be indexed.  Under this idea of indexing the minimum wage, the wage rate would increase automatically ever year (likely tying it to inflation).  

Not to be done there, Carson also indicated that it might make sense to have two tiers of the federal minimum wage:  One normal rate and a lower one for younger workers.  Under this idea, there would be a "starter and sustained" minimum wage.  Very interesting thought, especially for those who argue that someone working a minimum wage job at McDonald's or the local greasy spoon diner flipping burgers should not be making the same amount as someone working a minimum wage job as a legal assistant or bank teller.  Maybe there is some middle ground here?

Other noteworthy thoughts from the debate from other candidates on raising the minimum wage:  Although Scott Walker was asked his thoughts on raising the federal minimum wage of $7.25, he skirted the question and instead indicated that he was in favor of concentrating on giving Americans the education and skills needed to land jobs that paid more than the minimum wage.  That is certainly one way to play to the G.O.P. base, but an idea that could make sense.  Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum also endorsed raising the minimum wage by $.50.  
 

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