Rally Calls For Raising Minimum Wage In State

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A coalition of political and faith-based groups rallied at the state Capital Monday in support of increasing the minimum wage.<br/><br/>Legislation filed in a special session scheduled

Monday, June 19th 2006, 11:03 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A coalition of political and faith-based groups rallied at the state Capital Monday in support of increasing the minimum wage.

Legislation filed in a special session scheduled to resume Wednesday would increase the state's minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.15 an hour. Supporters of raising the wage are also circulating a petition to force a statewide vote on the issue.

State Representative Richard Morrissette says raising the minimum to a dollar more than the federally allowed minimum makes sense economically and socially. He says most importantly it makes sense morally.

Supporters of the increase say it's not possible to support a family on the minimum wage. Morrissette says an estimated 87 percent of those being paid the minimum are adults.

State Senator Debbe Leftwich says if adjusted for inflation, the minimum wage should be $8.69 an hour.

Arkansas and 16 other states have recently increased their minimum wage.