Richmond, Virginia—As lawmakers debate the merits of raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, small business owners are coming out in support of the measure. Small business owners know that paying their employees higher wages is good for business.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to work hard and thrive in our communities. But when the minimum wage is only $7.25 an hour, that becomes impossible. Small business owners know that increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour would be good for business,” Anna Scholl, Executive Director of Progress Virginia, said. “Raising the minimum wage means customers have money in their pockets to spend at local businesses and employees don’t have to work two or three jobs just to make ends meet. Increasing the minimum wage is a win-win for everyone, and it’s time that legislators deliver on their campaign promises and raise the minimum wage to $15 for all Virginians.”
Yes, Virginia — We do need a $15 minimum wage [Richmond Times-Dispatch, Ward Tefft]
“From day one, I made it a policy to pay my employees more than the minimum wage.”
“Our longevity has become proof-positive to me of the value small business has in building and sustaining America’s economic and social life, and the value of paying workers fair wages. It’s for these reasons that I strongly support raising Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.”
“There is simply no more direct and rapid way to boost consumer spending and strengthen Virginia’s business environment than to raise the minimum wage statewide.”
“Because I pay a good wage, I have very low turnover and new-employee training costs.”
“Small businesses invested in their employees strengthen the local economy they are rooted in.”
“There is a growing chorus of business owners like me who are encouraging lawmakers to raise the minimum wage to strengthen our state’s economy. We understand that one business’ employees are another business’ customers — and vice versa. If customers don’t have money to spend, it doesn’t matter how little you pay your workers. Your business won’t thrive.”