Mailbag: Minimum-wage boost would help families, U.S. economy

Assemblyman Matthew Harper’s recent commentary on raising the minimum wage (“Wage proposal would hurt economy,” July 17) is wrongheaded and misinformed.

Unfortunately, Harper’s argument rests on anecdote (“I worked for minimum wage when I was a teenager”) and ideological commitment rather than facts.

Here are the facts, according to current economic and social research: The typical minimum-wage worker today is not a young teenager. The average minimum-wage worker is over 20 years old (88% nationwide) and many support a family with their earnings, according to a 2014 article in the New York Times. More than half are women.

Raising the wages of these people would raise family incomes and reduce worker turnover. This would result in more money in the pockets of working people, which would translate into more consumer spending. This, in turn, would boost economic growth.

This is why most small-business owners (perhaps not most large corporations or conservative politicos, however) support a higher minimum wage. In addition, research has shown that increasing the minimum wage has no effect on employment rates and the number of jobs available in a community.

If it is true, as Harper suggests, that fewer teenagers work now than they did several decades ago, this probably is because the recent economic recession coupled with rising rates of economic inequality have produced a situation where most minimum-wage jobs are occupied by more mature workers striving to support themselves and their families. These hardworking people deserve a living wage, just as much as Harper does.

While it may be correct to suggest that a higher minimum wage could push up wages for other workers, this would be a good thing. There is no evidence that this kind of wage movement would lead to higher rates of unemployment. Instead, the evidence is that higher wages for the working and middle classes is what truly grows an economy.

If Harper wants to “work on growing our economy so that all of California benefits,” he should take off his ideological blinders, read the evidence and support Senate Bill 3.

Thomas Meisenhelder

Huntington Beach

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Recalling Peotter is a ludicrous idea

I’ve seen many negative letters about Newport Beach Councilman Scott Peotter and very few supporting letters. I’d like to change that.

Peotter’s only mistake was using the city seal in his email, and he acknowledges that. The comments he expressed are his beliefs, and he is entitled to the freedom of expressing them.

As Christians, we are followers of Christ. We believe the Bible and God’s creation. Had God created a second man to be Adam’s companion instead of a woman, you and I wouldn’t be here.

There is man’s desire and God’s design, which has been redefined by the Supreme Court. It is just as ludicrous for columnist Barbara Venezia to suggest the councilman’s recall as it would be to suggest the Daily Pilot terminate her for suggesting it.

God help us!

Barbara Teskey

Newport Coast