Dear Frederick County Chamber members,
This is the first time, outside of all our of recent celebrations about new beginnings, that I’ve found the need to raise your attention to an issue of importance to the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce membership.
As with previous sessions, Maryland General Assembly is considering legislation (House Bill 166 and Senate Bill 280) to raise the minimum wage rate in Maryland to $15 per hour.
First, let me state that I understand there are members of the Chamber of Commerce family who support this idea. Honestly, when it comes to single parents and older neighbors who find themselves holding multiple minimum wage jobs to keep it all together, I understand that some lawmakers, including some in our own Delegation, want to use their regulatory power over the marketplace to effect social change. But this cannot simply be a rush to drive up the minimum wage standard to $15.00 across the board. The minimum wage was intended to be just that, a minimum. It was always set to cover unskilled, entry-level employment, to create that first rung on the ladder of employability.
This is the first time, outside of all our of recent celebrations about new beginnings, that I’ve found the need to raise your attention to an issue of importance to the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce membership.
As with previous sessions, Maryland General Assembly is considering legislation (House Bill 166 and Senate Bill 280) to raise the minimum wage rate in Maryland to $15 per hour.
First, let me state that I understand there are members of the Chamber of Commerce family who support this idea. Honestly, when it comes to single parents and older neighbors who find themselves holding multiple minimum wage jobs to keep it all together, I understand that some lawmakers, including some in our own Delegation, want to use their regulatory power over the marketplace to effect social change. But this cannot simply be a rush to drive up the minimum wage standard to $15.00 across the board. The minimum wage was intended to be just that, a minimum. It was always set to cover unskilled, entry-level employment, to create that first rung on the ladder of employability.
Already, we’re seeing the negative impacts of previous mandated wage increases. Fast food chains are expanding the use of order kiosks, and many large retailers are converting cash register lines into fully-automated self-checkout stations. Each one of the replaced registers represents a job, or several jobs, that will no longer be performed by a minimum wage worker.
Below you will find two documents for your review – House Bill 166 and a Minimum Wage Advocacy Kit.
You, the business owners of Frederick, need to express yourselves in order to protect your business and financial interests. Below you will find a link to the actual language of the legislation, as well as an advocacy tool kit created by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.
Thank you in advance for your consideration, and please call me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Rick Weldon
President & CEO
Frederick County Chamber of Commerce
Thank you in advance for your consideration, and please call me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Rick Weldon
President & CEO
Frederick County Chamber of Commerce
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.