To read Zelina’s opposing viewpoint, click here.

With the cost of basic necessities increasing each year, many workers across the country have begun questioning whether the current minimum wage still reflects what it takes to live in today’s economy. The paychecks meant to cover necessities such as rent and groceries no longer extend as far as they used to for those earning minimum wage. Increasing it would help families keep up with living costs and help with financial stress. Due to these concerns, raising the minimum wage is a necessary step to make sure workers can afford basic necessities, maintain a reasonable standard of living and reduce reliance on government assistance programs.

Yet, even with these rising costs, the current minimum wage is nowhere near enough for anybody to live on. Researchers from the University of Chicago recently explained that with the federal minimum wage at $7.25 per hour ($12.00 in Nevada due to state law) and the cost of living rising by an average of 3%, it has become an issue for families to live comfortably. Since 2009, the minimum wage has not risen which marks the longest span that the country has gone without any type of adjustments to it.

Therefore, having financial security would be one of the clearest ways a higher minimum wage would affect workers. Families living paycheck to paycheck would have more money to cover everyday necessities and healthcare without stretching themselves too thin. Researchers from the Brookings Institution found that 43% of all families fall short of meeting basic needs. With almost half of the U.S. population struggling to afford essentials, lifting the minimum wage would allow workers and families to save for education or emergencies.

Though government assistance programs often supplement low wages and help provide for struggling families, they can’t be relied on forever. Millions of workers qualify for programs because their earnings are not enough to cover basic costs, yet with a higher wage, families will be able to depend less on these programs, leading to more freedom to spend their income on whatever the family sees best. Government assistance programs can unintentionally create feelings of isolation and dependence for those experiencing poverty. With the wage raised, workers could support themselves independently and allow public resources to be directed to those who need them most, while also giving families stability.

Increasing wages would also have a direct effect on local communities and economies. When workers earn more, they are able to spend more on goods and services in their neighborhoods. This extra spending supports small businesses, allowing them to stay open and even hire more employees. Furthermore, this would lower employee turnover, leading to reduced costs for recruitment and training. An analysis by the Center for American Progress estimates that the cost of replacing low-wage workers is equal to about 16% of the employee’s annual salary. This would help middle-class families be able to participate in the economy in a positive way. With higher wages, a large number of Americans would be able to reach stability. With a raise in the minimum wage and lowering costs, only then can we truly be able to help increase the activity in local communities.

History by Amelia Castellanos

While it is true that many minimum-wage jobs should stay accessible for young workers, raising the wage would not necessarily harm them. Some critics say that increasing the minimum wage would have little benefit on young adults, since it would reduce hours worked per week. However in reality, higher pay does not automatically eliminate opportunities. Higher pay would allow young workers to earn enough to cover essentials without having to overexert themselves, which makes part-time work more sustainable. Financial security at an early age would help young adults and teenagers to focus on their education and career development without having to constantly worry about making ends meet. Therefore, instead of protecting entry-level jobs at still wages, raising the minimum wage ensures that these jobs provide the support for workers who rely on them the most.

While raising the minimum wage may have challenges, the benefits outweigh potential negatives. With the increase of minimum wage, we can allow workers to afford basic necessities, maintain a reasonable standard of living and reduce reliance on government support. Workers will be able to live comfortably without having to worry about basic needs.