Rise in Minimum Wage

Back in Januarty Congress passed a bill to raise federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 over the next two years!! I had heard about this over a month ago but learned more details today. Minimum wage has not been risen since 1996 when it went from $4.75 to $5.15. The government try's to ease businesses into the increase over a two year period the first of which goes into effect next month. 7% of our work force earns minimum wage (not counting illegal immigrants which is a completly different workforce the government does not account for; whom many times make less then $5.15). Making mimum wage would be $10,712 (at $5.15) a year if you worked full time. This ofcourse is very much below the poverty line. This rise will effect 13 million workers. Some cities have whats called a living wage ordinance since cost are higher in some cities, this is a local governments decision. Its not just true in large cities to have high cost of living. Lexington's living wage is estimated to be $9.63/hr for a decent standard living and this is higher then Louisville's because of housing is more student driven here. The problem local governments have with a Living wage ordinance is you must raise everyone's salaries because if Sue starts out at $9.63 in 2007 and Tom started out at $5.15 in 2000 and has work 7 years and is only making $10 he wont be happy. With all that said the new (in two years) $7.25 will still not keep people working out of the poverty line but its a start!