Majority think local govts. should be able to set their own minimum wage levels

[hrmjustin]

By TANIQUE WILLIAMS

A majority of registered voters recently surveyed by the Siena Research Institute support local governments controlling minimum wage levels above and beyond the state-mandated level.

Seventy-three percent of the 802 registered voters polled say local governments should be able to set the standard for minimum wage within their communities; 24 percent disagree; while 2 percent don't know enough to weigh in on the discussion; and 1 percent have no opinion, the poll reveals.

Local wage increases higher than the state's standard is highly favored among communities of color, with 95 of African Americans supportive and 86 percent of the Latino population supportive, compared to 68 percent of white voters who support the idea.

As for political affiliation, 85 percent of Democratic voters are supportive of the idea while just 12 percent are opposed to granting municipalities the authority to set minimum wage standards. While Democrats seem certain that idea is a good one, Republican voters are almost evenly divided on the issue with 48 percent supportive and 49 percent opposed.

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-02-25-86934.113122-Majority-think-local-govts-should-be-able-to-set-their-own-minimum-wage-levels.html