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ProgressiveEconomist

(5,818 posts)

21. State MW ballot initiatives can turn this stumbling block into stepping stones

Sat Sep 1, 2012, 12:19 PM

Sep 2012

Initiatives and referenda can get onto ballots in 23 states, including Colorado, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, and Montana. Just as anti-LGBT initiatives drew the extreme right to the polls in recent years, minimum wage hike initiatives could maximize poor people's turnout for crucial elections in swing states. See http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Missouri_Minimum_Wage_Initiative_(2012) .

But such efforts have to be well funded and have top legal talent, however. This year's $8.25 Missouri minimum wage initiative succumbed to a legal strategy of running out the clock by a Republican governor who withheld essential State co-operation. The initiative was held up in court proceedings for so long that when it finally "prevailed" in the MO Supreme Court, there was insufficient time left to gather enough signatures to put it on the ballot.

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Raising Minimum Wage Can Yank Millions Out of Poverty and Jump-Start Economy [View all] xchrom Sep 2012 OP

Since this sort of legislation has to start in the House, it will never happen UNTIL we have a MADem Sep 2012 #1

State MW ballot initiatives can turn this stumbling block into stepping stones ProgressiveEconomist Sep 2012 #21

There's a flip side to that coin, though--be careful what you wish for. MADem Sep 2012 #25

And none of these things ever happen Freddie Sep 2012 #27

Hell, I remember making ninety some odd cents! MADem Sep 2012 #29

Would a state MW wage ballot initiative ever by itself turn out ProgressiveEconomist Sep 2012 #32

Yes--I do think it would turn out people who were lied to with CU money. MADem Sep 2012 #33

I disagree. IMO the upside is FAR greater than your downside. Remember, ProgressiveEconomist Sep 2012 #35

For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction. MADem Sep 2012 #36

"way too late" for 2012 ballot initiatives. Agreed--this strategy is for 2014 and beyond ProgressiveEconomist Sep 2012 #38

With proper framing and rollout, it could be a winner in the 'tween' year election. MADem Sep 2012 #41

these arguments have less and less of an impact liberal_at_heart Sep 2012 #42

Boy do I agree with you MADem. xtraxritical Sep 2012 #22

The GOP legislature's mantra is "Just say NO." MADem Sep 2012 #37

Great idea. If minimum wage kept pace with the the rise of CEO pay, minimum wage JaneyVee Sep 2012 #2

This is the key! ErtBob Sep 2012 #3

Not to mention the additional payroll taxes generated for SS and Medicare. Fuddnik Sep 2012 #4

morning! xchrom Sep 2012 #5

Good morning! Fuddnik Sep 2012 #8

This is my post yesterday on the same topic OnlinePoker Sep 2012 #9

Well, so much for my figures. Fuddnik Sep 2012 #14

AND? icarusxat Sep 2012 #16

There are probably 10-20 million just above minimum that will be helped as well. A rising tide... reformist2 Sep 2012 #19

But what percentage of eligible nonvoters who'd vote "D" ProgressiveEconomist Sep 2012 #34

Also, hiring more government employees instead of imposing more austerity measures Cleita Sep 2012 #6

yes, one of the reasons for the sluggishness of the employment figures... ibegurpard Sep 2012 #11

Show that big corporations can afford this - point out the mountains of profit they are sitting on. reformist2 Sep 2012 #7

you can't live on $10 an hour either ibegurpard Sep 2012 #10

German auto workers get paid $60+ an hour and the companies are still profitable. icarusxat Sep 2012 #20

is there a minimum wage in Germany? ibegurpard Sep 2012 #23

A minimum wage below $10 an hour (roughly $20k/year) is barbaric. geckosfeet Sep 2012 #12

There should be two systems not a flat federal minimum wage former-republican Sep 2012 #13

Raise the minimum raise to at least $12 an hour and index for inflation. Progressive dog Sep 2012 #15

BUT BUT it will take away a small amount of the corporations' profits Iliyah Sep 2012 #17

And it might make our mighty "job creators" angry... oh noes! reformist2 Sep 2012 #18

Cue all the right wing whining reflection Sep 2012 #24

It's what they do best! Last time the federal minimum wage was raised, they MADem Sep 2012 #26

Always say, give money to the guy who has to spend it is better than giving to the guy who doesn't. liberal N proud Sep 2012 #28

$10 per hour, or more than double that? Trillo Sep 2012 #30

It should be raised to about $20 per hour. diane in sf Sep 2012 #31

That's not going to happen--not in one legislative move. MADem Sep 2012 #39

and give AMERICANS jobs lovuian Sep 2012 #40

K&R liberal_at_heart Sep 2012 #43

My experience chloes1 Sep 2012 #44

Or banks could extend more credit - you know for xchrom Sep 2012 #45

Eureka Fair Wage Act - $12.00 an Hour for Large Employers - Small Business Exempt eurekaworkers Sep 2012 #46