The Federal Minimum Wage standard has not increased since 2009. Every year federal employees receive Cost of Living Allowances that compensate for the rising cost of living in their area.
As the wealth of our nation continues consolidates itself among the upper percentile of our country, there is a growing lower and shrinking middle class in our nation. The need for the Federal Government to step in and provide basic services has never been greater.
A full time worker, working year round and only receiving minimum wage ($7.25/hr) will only gross barely above $15,000. This petition would establish a Federal Minimum Wage of $11.50 an hour. This rates matches that identified by the District of Colombia, and it sets a livable wage standard for the rest of the Nation, to be indexed yearly.