The minimum wage has not been raised since 2009. 15 years of a poverty-inducing $7.25. Shame on us for allowing that.
We must immediately raise the minimum wage to $15. No baby steps. No half measures. And the bill must stipulate that the wage be increased every year to keep up with the cost of living and inflation.
And the shameful exception that allows employers to pay servers a piddling $2.13 must be eliminated. Any business that relies on paying poverty wages for the sake of its success does not deserve to be in business.
Apprenticeships and learner positions should be an exception as they are also paying to be educated, offsetting any discrepancy in pay.