Congress: Not Robin Hood

Wednesday, August 2, 2006

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

The U.S. House of Representatives is playing Robin Hood again. Make that a Reverse Robin Hood because the story is backward -- a new law would rob wages from the poor to benefit the rich.

Republicans left town after they approved a bill that raises the national minimum wage to $7.25 -- after coupling the bill with estate tax cuts. OK, so far, the poor get richer and the rich get richer, too.

But wait, there's more. For workers in seven states -- including Washington -- the bill actually is a pay cut for many employees because it requires that tips now be calculated into the minimum wage. Current state law excludes tips.

The bill "is the first time in history that the federal government has acted to put a ceiling on minimum wage levels, rather than establishing a national floor from which the states can make improvements," says Ross Eisenbrey, vice president of the Economic Policy Institute.

The new federal law would mandate that the minimum wage be as little as $2.13 for workers who get tips, calling it a "tip credit." Folks who earn minimum wage are now paid $7.63 an hour in Washington state -- plus tips. Thus the new law could reduce the hourly wage as much as $5.50 an hour. Washington Republican Reps. Dave Reichert, Cathy McMorris and Doc Hastings voted yea -- and against current state law.

You have to give the GOP leadership some warped credit for a single piece of legislation that strips money from working people to pad prospects for inherited wealth. Even Robin Hood couldn't have been that crafty. We hope the Senate isn't as eager to rob from those who work for a living.

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Should the federal government require states to count tips toward minimum wage?
13.6% Yes	84.4% No
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