Friday, March 30, 2007
Governor Culver: “250,000 Iowans will get a raise.”
(Des Moines) Governor Chet Culver issued the following statement today regarding the increase in the state’s minimum wage starting April 1, 2007.
“More than 250,000 Iowans will get a raise this weekend when the first increase in the minimum wage in 10 years takes effect on Sunday. Hundreds of thousands of Iowans have waited a long time for this day, and on Sunday their wait is over.
This increase is the first step in lifting more than 18 percent of our workforce out of poverty. Sunday’s $1.05-per-hour hour increase, when combined with the same increase next year, means that full time minimum wage earners in our state will earn an additional $4,370 each year.
With this money, an average Iowa low-income family of three could pay for almost 18 months of heat and electricity, almost two years of child care, or full tuition to earn a degree at an Iowa community college.
Of all that we have done this session, signing the minimum wage increase into law is one of my proudest moments. Iowa legislators should be commended for their strong, bipartisan support of this historic legislation. I want to thank everyone who made this historic day a reality, and I look forward to continue working with all Iowans to build an unlimited future for our state.”