HOLY %^%$ Governor Bans Minimum Wage Increases And Paid Sick Leave Laws (Oklahoma)

[SunsetDreams]

Governor Mary Failin

At a time when many states and cities are working passing minimum wage increases, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) has gone in the opposite direction and signed a law banning cities from passing higher wages. The bill also bans them from enacting paid sick days or vacation requirements.

The law will stymie the efforts of activists in Oklahoma City, where a labor federation has led the push on a petition to raise the city’s minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. The state’s current minimum has been set at the federal level of $7.25. In 2012, 64,000 workers in the state earned $7.25 an hour or less, making up 7.2 percent of all hourly workers, a larger share than the 4.7 percent figure for the country as a whole.

Fallin said she signed the bill out of the worry that higher local minimum wages “would drive businesses to other communities and states, and would raise prices for consumers.” She also argued that “most minimum wage workers are young, single people working part-time or entry level jobs” and that “many are high school or college students living with their parents in middle-class families.” She warned that increasing the minimum wage “would require businesses to fire many of those part-time workers” and harm job creation.

But that’s not what the typical American minimum wage worker looks like. Nearly 90 percent of workers who would be impacted by an increase in the wage are older than 20, while the average age is 35. More than a quarter have children to support. More than half work full time, and 44 percent have at least some college education, while half a million minimum wage workers are college graduates.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/04/15/3426716/oklahoma-ban-minimum-wage-paid-sick-leave/

[NightWatcher]

1. as she left the Governor's Mansion she kicked a dog and yanked a walker from an old lady

and muttered "suck it granny" under her breath.

[SunsetDreams]

6. I cannot even begin to

express my anger right now

[Chisox08]

85. The dog was a seeing eye dog

After she kicked the dog she told the blind guy to pray the blindness away. She followed this up by slapping a sandwich out of the hands of a homeless person.
The Republicans are getting to the level of cartoon villains. I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to pass a law setting a maximum wage for the average person while their owners.... I mean donors can steal every penny they can.

[GeorgeGist]

2. Money speaks Republican ...

in Oklahoma.

[liberal N proud]

3. How in the hell can you ban someone from giving their employees a fucking RAISE?

She got hers and wants to make sure those who don't won't.

[KansDem]

38. "She got hers..." @ $147,000 a year (2010)...

State executive salaries[3]
Office '10 salary Current official
Governor $147,000 Mary Fallin
Lieutenant Governor $114,713 Todd Lamb
Secretary of State $94,500 Glenn Coffee
Attorney General $132,850 Scott Pruitt
Treasurer $114,713 Ken Miller

http://ballotpedia.org/Oklahoma_state_government_salary

Oklahoma is no. 18 in the nation--
http://ballotpedia.org/Comparison_of_gubernatorial_salaries

[IronLionZion]

46. She's a lazy taker, a government worker! nt

[Tsiyu]

83. How do you "higher employees" and does it involve

illegal activities?

And of course, your math and your empathy are a little skeevy if you ask me.

No one can live on $10 an hour. The minimum wage, adjusted for inflation, should be around $20 an hour.

When people have more disposable income, they will frequent those shops that also pay more, and everyone wins.

Your "austerity approach" is cruel and economically unsound in this day and age, but very predictable for a certain "got mine-screw you" segment of our population.

[liberal N proud]

84. That is all right wing rhetoric intended to deter people form supporting a fair/living wage

You provide no facts just rhetoric that has all be proven false.

You pay people a living wage, they purchase more, business increases, and the cycle goes around. For the last 30 years this cycle has been broken because companies have stifled wages keeping people from purchasing goods and growing an economy.

[alarimer]

86. There is no evidence that minimum wage increases do anything of the sort.

It puts more money in people's pockets that they then spend at other businesses.

You free-market types are so fucking short-sighted. You get what you pay for. Better wages = better employees.

[arcane1]

91. Funny how $50 an hour doesn't raise prices, but $10 an hour will Ruin Everything!!

[CFLDem]

87. Interesting.

Enjoy your likely brief stay here.

[NYC Liberal]

90. You can't afford to pay your employees a LIVING wage, you have no right to run a business.

Period. Not paying a living wage KILLS the economy.

[NYtoBush-Drop Dead]

127. EXACTLY

BOYCOTT the walmarts and McD's and every other company that doesn't pay a living wage.

[whopis01]

99. Well no one is banned from giving their employees a raise

What this does is ban cities and counties from requiring that employers pay their employees a decent, livable wage.

[liberal N proud]

100. To what purpose?

Why is it so important that they must prevent such action?


???????

[freshwest]

109. To please their masters:

“We support repeal of all law which impede the ability of any person to find employment, such as minimum wage laws.”

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024806298

[catbyte]

114. And that to you is a GOOD thing? WOW.

[whopis01]

118. Why on earth would you say something like that?

Please explain to me how anything I said even remotely indicates that I think this law in a good thing.

Just for the record - since you are making me defend my positions after criticizing me for things that I NEVER SAID OR IMPLIED - I do not think this law is a good thing. I think this law is a bad thing. I think this law is a ridiculous thing. I think it is being pushed for the sole purpose of building political favor amongst extreme right-wing groups that are too stupid to realize that this law even goes against core conservative principles (less centralized government control, more local power).

Now, seeing how our brief conversation has gone so far, I feel it is necessary to point out that just because I said that this law goes against core conservative principles is in no way intended to imply that I support or endorse core conservative principles. I merely point out that there is great irony in such a law being passed by a "conservative" leader. And beyond the irony, it points out that this "conservative" leader is nothing of the sort, rather it appears her only loyalty is to those that fund and enable her continuing to get elected.

It has been my experience that on this, and many other, online forums there tend to be two types of conversations that occur. One in which each subsequent response adds to the overall body of the discussion. Ideas become increasingly refined and there is a meaningful and important exchange between the people involved. And then there are the discussions where each response is merely an attack upon the previous response or poster. I do not enjoy the latter type of conversation. Hence why my response to the other post was not intended to imply an attacking or opposite opinion, instead it merely added information to the discussion at hand.

[catbyte]

119. You seemed to think the law was no big deal because individual businesses could raise their salaries

There is a heck of a lot of difference between having a mandate & individual businesses deciding to raise the wages & offer sick/vacation time. Perhaps I misinterpreted your statement, but it struck me that way. I in no way attacked you.

[whopis01]

120. There was nothing in what I said to make anyone think

I was saying the law was "no big deal".

[catbyte]

123. Read how you phrased your comment.

[whopis01]

124. The post I was replying to said how can you ban someone from giving an employee a raise

I was pointing out that it doesn't do that - what it does is ban cities from requiring that employers pay a decent, livable wage.

I would think that by referring to an increased minimum wage as a "decent, livable wage" would make it clear that I was in favor of allowing, and even requiring, increased minimum wages. It is certainly not as if I acted like this was a good thing for anyone.

If you are determined to read my posting about the law banning cities and counties from requiring a decent, livable wage be paid to employees as an endorsement of that law, well then so be it. We all perceive the world around us through the shades of our own biases.

[LongTomH]

4. Just fucking eeeevilllll!!!!!!!

Cruella DeVill has nothing on Gov. Fallin!!!!!

[B Calm]

5. Republicans hate working people!

[Victor_c3]

35. Nope, they just believe in giving them freedom!

because somehow that ban means that the people are now going to be more free in Oklahoma now

[butterfly77]

67. The more they change the more they

stay the same http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024823271 FREEDOM!FREE!FREE! FREEDOM!!! GOOD OLE Oklahoma!

[Victor_c3]

81. I actually read everything you posted on that thread this morning

[AlbertCat]

69. because somehow that ban means that the people are now going to be more free in Oklahoma now

Yep.... gotta keep big oppressive government from interfering with your life.... oh wait....


Never mind.

[KamaAina]

7. 'Cause she's free, free Fallin!

[Orrex]

8. Isn't this the evil "nanny state" that Conservatives allege to despise?

How can they support this sort of regulator over-reach?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

13. When Democrats run the state government...

Republicans DEMAND (LOUDLY) that cities and counties should be allowed to run their own business without meddling from the capitol.

Now? Not so much...

[Orrex]

19. Funny how that works...

Similar to the mindset that condemns federal deficits unless a Republican is in the Whitehouse.


Go figure.

[LittleGirl]

24. +1 Ding, Ding, Ding we have a winner folks! eom

[SunsetDreams]

43. You are so right. Very well stated. TRUTH! nt

[chrisstopher]

9. Welcome to Oklahoma

Hotpants Fallen does it again!

[cui bono]

15. Hotpants? What does that mean? n/t

[KatyaR]

27. The rumor (not really) is

That she had an affair with one of her state trooper security guys when she was Lt. Gov. Her then-husband filed for divorce when it came out. If course, she remarried since them, so all's good.

[chrisstopher]

107. Yep

That's how I heard it. Plus, I met her one time years back when she was looking at an old west movie set for a possible movie to be made in Oklahoma, and she was most definitely flirting with the guy who owned the fake western town. And yes, she was still married at the time.

[Blue_Tires]

10. Is that even legal?

[Brainstormy]

58. My question exactly!!!!!!!!

And the rethugs want to keep government out of business. I can't even wrap my head around this.

[grahamhgreen]

117. +1

[mindwalker_i]

11. Well, let's see if people learn that voting Republican

makes their lives suck. It's that whole cause and effect thing that appears to be so hard to grasp.

[LondonReign2]

32. Are you kidding?

Republicans LOVE this sort of shit, ansd Oklahoma is full of Republicans. This will boost her approval in that woebegotten state.

[mindwalker_i]

41. One would hope than someday, people would look at what their lives are like

and have the ability to conclude that it sucks. That maybe, when their child is sick, they can't get treatment because they can't afford it, they can't take time off to care for said child because 1) minimum wage is $0.50/hr and 2) they'd be fired which would 3) cause them to be evicted from their cardboard box, that they would maybe sit back and wonder how it all came about. One would hope.

One would also hope that Democrats could make a stronger case. I often find myself wondering why we aren't mopping the floor with Republicans, and perhaps rigged elections have something to do with it. I'd rather not blame just that, because then it's too easy to throw up our hands and decide we can't do anything about it.

[AlbertCat]

72. people would look at what their lives are like and have the ability to conclude that it sucks

And then blame Democrats for it.

[AlbertCat]

73. I often find myself wondering why we aren't mopping the floor with Republicans

One reason is the media don't give Dems much air time.

[mindwalker_i]

77. That's definitely a factor

But sometimes I wonder why democrats don't come out after Republicans do something like what this OP is about and say something like:

"What the holy f*** is this all about? Why the f*** is the governor doing this, when families are already getting their asses kicked by corporations? Repeatedly? Hard? I'll tell you. Repubs don't care about you. They don't care whether you have a job, whether your kids get educated, whether you survive. They care about sucking Koch and getting money to run ads about how your lives are horrible because of gays. Well it's not the gays, it's their policies that screw you over so the Kochs get more money, and some comes back to Repubs. Stop shooting yourselves in the foot!"

Instead we get these timid, measured responses that have been focus-tested and fit for public consumption. Well, that way isn't working too well. Voters want something real, which is probably why Elizabeth Warren does well.

[gopiscrap]

130. Agreed

the Democrats need to do a better job of pointing that this is what happens when you vote Republican.

[Octoberfurst]

48. Nope nothing will change.

The problem is that you are forgetting that people who vote Republican are morons. They never learn and don't see cause & effect. So even though the Governor is preventing "Joe Sixpack" from getting a raise he will STILL vote GOP because He doesn't want to see "them thar queers gittin' married" or some such bullshit. After all his preacher told him that the GOP is the party of "family values" and that he will go to hell if he votes Democratic. So the Governor can screw the working class over royally and the party faithfull will still vote for her because---well they're idiots.

[mindwalker_i]

56. Yeah, I know

And realizing all that stuff about cause and effect, like how shooting oneself in the foot causes pain, and pain hurts, is what them learn'd folks do. Real peoples just know wut's right n' rong. Don't need no fancy book lernin fer that.

"Ow! My foot hurts. Ow! My foot hurts. Ow!"

[GoneFishin]

78. Funny. Because even if they literally shot themselves in the foot, some of them still

might not make the connection, or at least they would find a way to blame someone other than themselves.

[mindwalker_i]

80. They'd probably raise a fuss

because the government didn't protect them from shooting themselves in the foot.

[CTyankee]

12. Typical Republican!

[ChisolmTrailDem]

25. Typical god damned rightwingfuck republican't confederate! I've been told

that I hate them too much. Hate is too mild a word and this dumbass Okie just adds fuel to my white-hot fire.

[SunsetDreams]

29. I know!!!

Me too...I am beyond pissed right now! White-hot fire is an apt description right now.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

34. Can you imagine the things that would be possible if those idiots (GODAMNIT! The

English language is just so woefully inadequate sometimes!) would just stop it with their stupidity?

Just imagine it...

[Initech]

14. I've said it before and I'll say it again: they don't give a flying fuck.

[Blue Owl]

16. OK stands for "On Koch"

n/t

[cui bono]

17. So it's okay for the state govt to dictate to the cities what they can and cannot do,

but not okay for the federal govt to dictate to the states what they can and cannot do.

Hm...

[progressoid]

22. Yeah, isn't that interesting.

I wonder if any of the cities will challenge this.

[joeglow3]

45. Depends on the state constitution.

[Blue Owl]

18. Kochlahoma, where the rich come bringin' down the pain

n/t

[ChisolmTrailDem]

26. Ooohhhh! DUzy! nt

[SMC22307]

31. *That* was good.

[demwing]

102. Kochlahoma! Kochlahoma! Kochlahoma! Kochlahoma!

[hobbit709]

20. Oklahome-the only state where not a single county voted for Obama

[yellowcanine]

21. This could very well be the sleeper issue of 2014. I am mystified as to why Repubs can't see that.

The more crap they pull like this, the more likely it is that Democrats will vote in November - particularly where minimum wage referendums are on the ballot.

[Jefferson23]

23. Bans? Another OP that is not from The Onion, but should be.

How the hell is this possible?

[SunSeeker]

28. Typical Republican hypocrite.

Cap minimum wage worker pay, but not CEO pay.

[ErikJ]

64. So we can put more on food stamps and Medicaid.

while increasing taxes on workers.

[LondonReign2]

30. SOP

for that state

[TeamPooka]

33. Keep at it Republicans. Thank you for the motivation. nt

[pintobean]

36. K&R

[iloveObama12]

37. Repubs Are The Gifts That Keeps On Giving...SMH

Will Ferrell Approved

[sakabatou]

39. Another example of why Republicans should never be in control

[LynneSin]

40. Stuff like this makes me glad I live in a solidly blue state

I feel bad for the progressives that live in Oklahoma because they don't deserve this. But for all those right-wing idiots working minimum wage job who believe that voting GOP will somehow make them richer - you get what you deserve. You decided your guns and God and opposition to gays were more important that having enough food to feed your family. You decided it was more important that we save all the fetus than it is to have a safe home to live in and a reliable car to drive. You allowed your hatred for Obama to keep you from getting affordable healthcare. You voted your way into a life of poverty.

[TxDemChem]

42. People like her are the reason we left OK in the first place.

Who wants to stay in a state where employees feel stymied?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

44. Makes you want to hear the local RW Talkers applaud this....

Their call screeners are going to be working overtime.

BTW: It was revealed that The Pigman and Hannity take bogus calls from paid actors.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Limbaugh-Hannity-Parent-Co-by-Gustav-Wynn-110305-942.html

[QuestForSense]

47. I used to be from there back when it really was the heart-land.

I guess the heart left with the brains and the jobs. Those dummies are getting exactly what they think they want. BTW, that looks like a photo of Marsha Blackburn, not that it makes much difference.

[one_voice]

49. She should have to work for...

minimum wage and get NO sick time.

Walk the walk...

[randr]

50. Are the red states in some contest to see who can be the most

un American, anti Christian, pro corporate ass wipes on the planet?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

51. Meanwhile, in Minnesota,

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/14/minnesota-joins-states-raising-minimum-wage/7713229/

We have a Democratic governor and Dems control the legislature. The state minimum wage will now be one of the highest in the country. Come to Minnesota, Oklahomans. See how the GOPers like it when there's nobody left to do the work.

[Delmette]

52. When I left Oklahoma

It was the best day of my life!!!

[perdita9]

53. How does this action equal freedom?

Who is the state to tell local municipalities that they cannot use democracy to make new laws?

[Helen Borg]

54. She looks mean

I know, silly comment, but she does...

[QuestForSense]

104. Not silly at all.

She IS mean.

[randys1]

55. She is a terrorist causing more death than Al Qaeda

We need to start telling it like it is people.

This woman and those like her throughout the country are so disgusting, that words simply cant do it for me.

Is OK another state that denied the Medicaid Expansion?

[geretogo]

70. My thoughts exactly !!!

[1StrongBlackMan]

57. It seems to me ...

that Democrats, with the help of labor, has a ready-made campaign issue that will move non-voting Oklahomans to the polls ... "See, republicans have just made raising the minimum wage unlawful AND they have just made paid sick leave unlawful."

[randys1]

62. Great point

But will righwingers decide food in their bellies is more important than hating Black prez for being Black?

That is what it comes down to you know...

[1StrongBlackMan]

76. To a certain degree, yes ...

I know what is driving much of the voting against interests.

But one would hope, the pangs of a hungry belly and/or having to send your child to bed without another meal, would silence that hate.

[randys1]

94. Did you see the Pelosi documentary on Maher show?

interviewed white idiots in the south with nothing, all of them on welfare, all of them hate GOVERNMENT and Obama

so they will vote republican every single time while starving

sad but true

[1StrongBlackMan]

97. No ...

I missed that.

I wonder what the effect would be to give each of the interviewees a copy of the tape ... to be watched in their home, while alone.

It can be revealing to hear one's own words, and see one speaking them, without one having to defend their position. They will see the dirt and grime, and hear the idiocy of their position.

[Skittles]

59. think about food service workers with no paid sick days

f*** that

[Notafraidtoo]

60. Businesses don't hire workers unless they need them.

Business doesn't hire workers unless they have to. Demand determines employment, Micky D's isn't going to lay off the counter person or the order taker because they have no choice but to employ them. Company's don't have a bunch of workers standing around doing nothing they need them. Wish this lie about layoffs due to wages would die. Productivity gains or less demand is the reason for layoffs.

[edhopper]

61. And will be overwhelmingly re-elected

by the Okies.

Cause people seem to love being shit on, don't know why, but they do.

Same reason Davis is behind in Texas.

[randys1]

63. Yes, and proof that America is broken, and I mean extremely so.

Blue states are not, red states are viciously broken, full of hate and intolerance and on the brink of civil war.

So what do we do?

[edhopper]

92. I wish i knew

"Against stupidity, the Gods themselves contend in vain."

[demwing]

101. Move to California?

but bring your own water...

[geretogo]

68. Just more proof , America is NOT a democracy . What the PEOPLE desire means nothing under

a Totalitarian Corporate State .

[OKNancy]

71. Fallin is horrible, however this is not what the bill says

First, let's get this straight.. I hate her guts.

The bill does not ban giving a raise, or make it so a business can not on their own raise their wages or give people sick leave.
It says a government entity, like a city can not make a law that says... The minimum wage shall be $xx.xx

A business is free to raise pay if they want to.

[randys1]

95. This will thrill starving Oklahomans

who think govt workers have it too good

race to the bottom, race to starvation and homelessness

America is real dumb right now, extremely so

can we save them from themselves?

[steve2470]

108. Thanks for introducing facts into this thread

The bill still sucks but not quite as bad.

[ProSense]

75. Oklahoma, where the minimum wage will never be raised

Oklahoma, where the minimum wage will never be raised
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/04/15/1292148/-Oklahoma-where-the-minimum-wage-will-never-be-raised

[SansACause]

79. You get the government you vote for.

I just can't feel sorry for OK about this. They elected her. If poor people in red states would stop voting Republican, they might actually have a chance to climb out of the ditch of poverty.

[FiveGoodMen]

131. They think voting R will help them get into heaven.

Their preachers are telling them so.

[Tsiyu]

82. Let's see Fallin live on minimum wage

What an EVIL woman. But then, she's a Republican, so I feel sorta shocked that I'm shocked at her cruelty.

[reformist2]

88. Death throes, people. We're watching history - the Repugs are almost finished.

[kimbutgar]

93. Will this be reported in the Oklahoma media?

The people of Oklahoma get the punishments they deserve for voting rethuglican. If I lived there and heard about this I would be so angry. Pitch fork angry.

[OKNancy]

96. I read it on the front page of the Tulsa World this morning

The problem is, the minimum wage worker has little power or say.
Economically, Oklahoma is doing pretty good so those who "have" really don't give a shit.
Also, many businesses already pay more than the minimum for entry level jobs.

[Cha]

98. She makes me sick just looking at her fucked up ugly face.. the greed and hate just

emanate from it.

So sorry, SunsetDreams for your state.

[randys1]

115. Now we are talking

she reminds me of that complete and total moron in AZ with her finger in the Prez face

can you say

IRS
Benghazi
Fast and Furious

Benghazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[deathrind]

103. /facepalm

Republican hipocracy has no limits.

[valerief]

105. OK is NOT OK. What a sewer of a state. nt

[IronLionZion]

106. If you want to be exclusive, you have to exclude some people

conservatives thrive on income inequality. Being at the top doesn't feel as superior if there aren't lots of people to look down on below.

So yes they want to keep wages and benefits low, even for big businesses and corporate franchises who can afford it. Because they want more distance between them and their workers as well as to punish those undeserving inferior beings who should feel grateful for whatever crumbs trickle down upon them. Since rich executives and bankers work harder.

I believe this one also decided on no spousal benefits for the OK national guard to avoid giving benefits to the undeserving gay spouses. Of which I doubt OK has very many.

F people like this.

[CFLDem]

110. Well that's one state I'll be happy to never live in

again.

[JackInGreen]

111. Once again the GOP

makes one of the ways to fight back against the wage gap illegal.

[leftyohiolib]

112. doesnt matter federal law supercedes state law where the feds decide to intervene

[rickyhall]

113. How does one win elections by chasing away voters?

I don't understand.

[allan01]

116. this

fucking 1$ ers and we got a !@#$%^&*()_ rancher who wont pay is bills : headbang:

[Joey Liberal]

121. Sad that she'll be re-elected in a landslide

Okies tend to vote against their best interests.

[father founding]

122. Koch whore

She is a "F"ing lying Koch whore like the rest of the Tealephants

[blkmusclmachine]

125. GOP: "Family Values Bunch"

[Warpy]

126. Maybe that cow is finally the Republican who is just bad enough

to wake people up and get them to stop voting Republican.

People I met there were some of the nicest on several round trips across the country. I just could never wrap my head around why they always voted complete assholes into office.

[Zorra]

128. Why do all republicans have that exact same mean, nasty, angry, stupid, deranged look?

[Prophet 451]

129. Just plain evil

And I don't use that word much because I think it's a pretty extreme description in most cases but this is one of them. Just plain evil.

[chuckroast]

132. VooDoo Economics

Even Ronald Reagan understood that you have to give people a decent wage. He called getting rid of the minimum wage, cutting taxes

for the rich and all of the other trickle down economics what it is. He called it voodoo economics. If low wages and no taxes on the rich

was good economics then Haiti would be the richest country on earth. Of course Reagan began to change his mind after the

assassination attempt. Am I the only one that thinks it is strange that the would be assassin John Hinckley Jr. was a friend of the Bush

(Crime) family? Back to the Subject. I used to live in Tecumseh Oklahoma. My mom was friends with Mary Fallin for a while. One day she

came home and told me that Mary was a complete idiot. I asked her why it took so long to figure it out. Anyone that knows Mary Fallin

knows that she is not a smart person (LOL). She is just another third rate hack that is willing to kiss ass and do what she is told. A lot

like that other idiot down in Texas, Rick Perry