The debate over the minimum wage in the United States has been a prominent and contentious issue for many years. In the state of Minnesota, the minimum wage is currently $10.08 per hour, with plans to raise it to $11 in 2021 and $14 in 2023. This increase is part of the process of requiring all major employers to pay their employees the minimum wage. As such, the discussion of minimum wage in Minnesota in 2023 is an important one.
First, there are a variety of arguments in favor of raising the minimum wage in Minnesota in 2023 to $14 per hour. This proposed wage is much higher than what it is currently, which could be beneficial for workers who are living at or below poverty levels. Those with lower incomes would be helped to make ends meet, as well as indirectly be boosting the economy. Earners of minimum wage in Minnesota would be able to purchase more goods, invest and save more money, strengthening the state’s economy, as it would disproportionately stimulate the local economic activity.
Furthermore, the average wage earned in the state would rise, giving businesses more opportunities to pay more competitive wages and hire more people. This move would also most likely induce employee productivity and motivation as they have increased disposable income and a higher wage. All of these effects would be especially beneficial to those on the lower wage scale and families living in poverty.
On the other hand, it can be argued that raising the wage could have detrimental impacts on many businesses. When the minimum wage rises, it may hamper profits for companies, especially those with employees that are paid minimum wage. Many businesses would be forced to increase their prices to combat lower margins and maintain profitability, and could also lead to job automation and corporations being able to move to other places with cheaper wages. Combined with the smaller market for hiring, some businesses may be unable to remain profitable and could have to be closed.
It could also be the case that the increase in wages would lead employers to hire fewer workers, actually worsening the situation for some low wage earners. This would most likely mean that the workers would experience a loss in hours that would render the wage raise insignificant to their incomes. Furthermore, it could affect younger and new job seekers, as employers shy away from hiring them due to the feared added costs.
In conclusion, whether raising the minimum wage in Minnesota to $14 per hour in 2023 is a wise decision or not is an argument that is still highly contested. While some claim the proposed wage rise could profoundly benefit those on the lower economical scale, others give evidence that the outcome would actually hurt workers and businesses alike. Ultimately, it comes down to trade-offs and the evaluation of what the true costs and benefits of the proposed wage rise could be.
