Raising minimums

Business interests don't lose many battles in the General Assembly. But it's important that they lost one over the minimum wage in North Carolina. The state House and Senate both have passed bills that would raise North Carolina's minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.15. That's hardly a visit from Santa Claus, but it will make a difference for the lowest-paid workers. And it's about time -- this is the first increase since 1997.

Governor Easley had proposed raising the minimum wage in the state to $6. Democrats in the legislature pushed the $1 increase. In the House, 39 Republicans voted against it, a sorry commentary on their connections, or lack thereof, with folks who are struggling.

The arguments against the boost were the same old, same old -- that it will hurt businesses, particularly small ones. If the increase had been $2 an hour, that might be worthy of discussion. But no raise since 1997, in a wage that amounts to less than $11,000 a year even when someone is working full-time? No wonder some polls have shown overwhelming support for an increase.

Business owners argued that the increased expense of a minimum wage hike would mean they could hire fewer people and might well have to raise prices for some goods that rely on minimum wage workers.

Frankly, it's a little hard to buy the first argument because a small business with only a few workers really wouldn't see that much more expense, although any increase would doubtless be more than they would want. (Opponents like to lump everyone's costs together, which produces a figure of $95 million in increased payroll and related expenses for the entire state.) As to whether some things might end up costing a little more, a few pennies here and there doesn't seem like that great a sacrifice so that minimum wage workers can get a little closer to a decent though hardly extravagant living.

Besides, a raise might enable some of those workers to buy more goods and services themselves, thus stimulating the economy for everyone. Beyond the dueling figures, it comes down to fairness: People who are working in order to try to pay their own way deserve a fair wage, and to keep them at the same level where they've been for nearly a decade just isn't fair. No, this is not Santa Claus. It's smart business.