Boosting Minimum Wage for Lowest-Paid Workers Would Help Enrich the Economy

I must take exception to the views of Ivan Png and Eric Rasmusen. It is clearly their view, and the view of business in general, that a higher minimum wage will hurt our economy. But an increased minimum wage would reduce high turnover rates and the need for continued retraining of new employees.

In the Northeast, many jobs requiring unskilled labor pay above $5 an hour. Many fast-food restaurants in the area now pay $6 an hour. The reason for this is not the kind heart of employers but short supply of labor. The economy neither there nor here will collapse with a $4.25-an-hour minimum wage. And even this increase is not enough to bring workers above the poverty level. To have full-time workers earn such wages is more than unfair--it’s criminal.

GAVIN FEEHAN

Granada Hills