Upon hearing that state lawmakers had passed an increase to the minimum wage June 17, Ryan Peters, co-owner of RISE Fitness+Adventure in Rehoboth Beach, was delighted. At the same time, local business leaders are thrilled that more money is moving into the wallets of employees and hoping they spend big at area companies, bolstering bonds between shops and consumers. “Ultimately, these people need more discretionary income, … (and they) don’t necessarily need to work three or four jobs just to make ends meet and put food on the table,” he said. “(This bill) gives people the ability to earn a living and keep that money within the community … without worrying about if they’re going to be able to make their car payment or rent.”
- I see fewer workers and more self-checkouts. — Amy Walton
- When Trump signed that massive tax cut that mainly the wealthy and big businesses benefitted from, lots of companies made the PR move by announcing bonuses and Walmart actually raised their starting pay. But a few months in, they quietly closed stores and invested in the self-checkouts, thus doing away with many jobs and they’re still benefiting from that lower tax obligation a few years in. That’s just one example, but businesses, restaurants included, can afford to pay livable wages and still profit just from the lower taxes they are paying. Most of them only pocketed the money even though the Trump claimed that the tax cut would create massive number of jobs, as more companies would repatriate bringing in billions, which would offset the lost revenue, which would prevent the deficit from increasing. — Michael Jones
- And just like that, tips mysteriously disappeared. — Chris Ostrom
- And prices increase. — Lynn Bralley-Rowland
- No, they don't! — Justin Daniel
- What about the employee already making $15+ per hour for his experience, skill and expertise who is now ranked with the person yelling “fries are up” when the timer beeps? — Dennis J Walston
- He should get a pay increase too. Don't simp for billionaires. — Pete Schonert
- Because there are tons of billionaire small businesses owners.... — Jake Phil
