Questions of Rendell

[Undertoad]

He wants to raise it nationally as well? What will that do?

Historically, it increases unemployment and increases inflationary pressure.

The idea of raising the minimum wage x amount higher than the national level is to make PA look more attractive for entry-levels and new serfs that are just starting to work.

More attractive to the people who are less likely or able to move; decidedly less attractive the employers who actually create those jobs, and who can generally decide where to set up shop.

There will still be pizza-delivery jobs, but they'll be held by the factory workers displaced by their jobs moving to a more attractive state.

In an economy, everything's connected. Where does the money come from for the increased pay? Not from the greedy business owners -- after decades of minimum wage increases, we still have greedy business owners. The money comes from increased prices on whats sold (thus the inflation) or by cutting back on other costs (thus the unemployment).

So: if there's a min. wage increase, you'll make more money, but everything you buy will cost a little more; it all equals out in the end.