Monday, December 31, 2007
Governor Culver Calls Increasing The Minimum Wage "One Of My Proudest Moments As Governor"
DES MOINES – Today, Governor Culver issued the following statement regarding the final increase in the minimum wage, which takes effect on January 1, 2008. As of January 1st, the minimum wage in Iowa will be $7.25 per hour.
“As my first year as Governor comes to a close, I am reminded about the many achievements we have accomplished together, such as creating the Iowa Power Fund, making historic investments in education, and taking strides to increase access to health care.
“Yet, one of my proudest moments as Governor came just two weeks after taking office when I signed bi-partisan legislation to increase the minimum wage for the first time in a decade.
“With tomorrow’s final increase of $1.05 per hour, more than 250,000 hard working men and women across the state will receive the raise they deserve. When combined with a similar increase last April, thousands of Iowans will be lifted out of poverty and workers across our state will see an additional $4,370 in their pockets each year.
“Tomorrow we take one more step toward building one Iowa, with an unlimited future for everyone.”
The legislation to increase the minimum wage was the first bill Governor Culver signed into law. The bill was signed on January 25, 2007, the same day of the Governor’s 41st birthday. After the Governor signed the bill into law, he said, “It is my 41st birthday and I couldn’t think of a better gift.”