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size=2 face=Tahoma>Great work Everyone!!</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
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size=2 face=Tahoma>Thank you so much!!</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
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style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; BORDER-TOP: #b5c4df 1pt solid; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt"
class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> White House Office
of Communications [mailto:noreply@messages.whitehouse.gov] <BR><B>Sent:</B>
Wednesday, February 12, 2014 7:39 AM<BR><B>To:</B> NFB
Information<BR><B>Subject:</B> FACT SHEET - Opportunity For All: Rewarding Hard
Work<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" lang=EN>THE WHITE
HOUSE</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV
style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in">
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" lang=EN>Office of
the Press Secretary</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoHeader><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoHeader><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">February 12,
2014<B> </B></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">FACT
SHEET - </SPAN></B><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Opportunity For
All: Rewarding Hard Work</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><B><I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN></I></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Raising the Minimum
Wage through Executive Order to $10.10 for Federal Contract
Workers</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><I><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">&
Calling on Congress to Finish the Job for All Workers by Passing the
Harkin-Miller Bill</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoListParagraph><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Today,
continuing to fulfill his promise to make 2014 a year of action, the President
will sign an Executive Order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 for federal
contract workers. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The
Executive Order the President will sign today will benefit hundreds of thousands
of people working under contracts with the federal government who are making
less than $10.10 an hour. It will also improve the value that taxpayers are
getting from the federal government’s investment. Studies show that boosting low
wages will reduce turnover and absenteeism, while also boosting morale and
improving the incentives for workers, leading to higher productivity overall.
These gains improve the quality and efficiency of services provided to the
government.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoListParagraph><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">In
his State of the Union Address, President Obama pledged to both take executive
action wherever he can and work with Congress to increase opportunity for all
Americans. Consistent with that pledge, the President will continue to work with
Congress to finish the job to raise the minimum wage for all Americans and pass
the Harkin-Miller bill so that all workers can be paid at least a $10.10 minimum
wage. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><B><U><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> Details
of the Executive Order </SPAN></U></B><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; COLOR: black"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">Ø<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The
Executive Order will raise the minimum wage to $10.10 effective for new
contracts beginning January 1, 2015. </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The
higher wage will apply to new contracts and replacements for expiring
contracts. Boosting wages will lower turnover and absenteeism, and
increase morale and productivity overall. Raising wages for those at the bottom
will improve the quality and efficiency of services provided to the
government.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; COLOR: black"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">Ø<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Benefits
hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans. </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">There
are hundreds of thousands of people working under contracts with the federal
government to provide services or construction who are currently making less
than $10.10 an hour. Some examples of the hardworking people who would see
their wages go up under this Executive Order include nursing assistants
providing care to our veterans at nursing homes, concessions workers in National
Parks, people serving food to our troops, and individuals with disabilities
working to maintain the grounds on military bases.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; COLOR: black"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">Ø<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Includes
an increase in the tipped minimum wage. </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This
executive order also includes provisions to make sure that tipped workers earn
at least $10.10 overall, through a combination of tips and an employer
contribution. Employers are currently required to pay a minimum base wage
of $2.13 per hour, a base that has remained unchanged for over twenty years, and
if a worker’s tips do not add up to the minimum wage, the employer must make up
the difference. Under the Executive Order, employers are required to ensure that
tipped workers earn at least $10.10 an hour. The Executive Order requires
that employers pay a minimum base wage of $4.90 for new contracts and
replacements for expiring contracts put out for bid after January 1, 2015.
That amount increases by 95 cents per year until it reaches 70 percent of the
regular minimum wage, and if a worker’s tips do not add up to at least $10.10,
the employer will be required to pay the difference. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; COLOR: black"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">Ø<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Covers
individuals with disabilities. </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> Under
current law, workers whose productivity is affected because of their
disabilities may be paid less than the wage paid to others doing the same job
under certain specialized certificate programs. Under this Executive Order, all
individuals working under service or concessions contracts with the federal
government will be covered by the same $10.10 per hour minimum wage
protections. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; COLOR: black"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">Ø<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Improves
value for the federal government and taxpayers.</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
One study showed that when Maryland passed its living wage law for companies
contracting with the state, there was an increase in the number of contractors
bidding and higher competition can help ensure better quality. The increase will
take effect for new contracts and replacements for expiring contracts put out
for bid after the effective date of the order, so contractors will have time to
prepare and price their bids accordingly.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast align=center><B><U><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Continuing
to Work With Congress, States and Localities to Help All
Workers</SPAN></U></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The
President is using his executive authority to lead by example, and will continue
to work with Congress to raise the minimum wage for all Americans by passing the
Harkin-Miller bill. The bill would raise the Federal minimum wage for working
Americans in stages to $10.10 and index it to inflation thereafter, while also
raising the minimum wage for tipped workers for the first time in over 20 years.
The President will also continue to support and encourage state, local and
private sector efforts to increase wages and help more working families.
</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Businesses
like Costco have supported past increases to the minimum wage because it helps
build a strong workforce and profitability over the long run</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">.
Low wages are also bad for business, as paying low wages lowers employee morale,
encourages low productivity, and leads to frequent employee turnover—all of
which impose costs. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Across
the country, Americans are saying it’s time to raise the minimum
wage.</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
The President believes that it’s time for action, and people across the country
agree. Since the President called for an increase in the minimum wage in last
year’s State of the Union, five states have passed laws increasing their minimum
wage. And many businesses, from small businesses to large corporations, see
higher wages as the right way to boost productivity and reduce turnover and
therefore boost their profitability. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4"
class=MsoListParagraph><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Raising
the minimum wage is good for government, good for business and workers and key
to a stronger economy.</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
A range of economic studies show that modestly raising the minimum wage
increases earnings and reduces poverty without jeopardizing employment.
Higher wages can also boost productivity, increase morale, reduce costs and
improve efficiency. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in" class=Default><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"> </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4"
class=MsoListParagraph><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Raising
the minimum wage will make sure no family of four with a full-time worker has to
raise their children in poverty.</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
It has been seven years since Congress last acted to increase the minimum wage
and, adjusted for inflation, today the real value of minimum wage is roughly the
same as what it was in the 1950s, despite the fact that the typical American
family’s income has doubled since then. And right now<B> </B>a full-time minimum
wage worker makes $14,500 a year, which leaves too many families struggling to
make ends meet. Even after accounting for programs like the Earned Income Tax
Credit, a family of four supported by a minimum wage worker still ends up living
below the poverty line.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in" class=Default><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Indexing
the minimum wage to inflation would help lower-income workers keep up in the
future.</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
Since it was first established in 1938, the minimum wage has been increased 22
times, but was eroded substantially over several prolonged periods between
increases because of inflation. Indexing would prevent a repeat of the 34
percent decline in the real value of the minimum wage from 1978 to 1989 and the
19 percent decline in real value from 1998 to 2006, as well as the 40 percent
decline in the real value of the base wage for tipped workers since it was last
raised in 1991. Last year alone, workers earning the minimum wage basically got
the equivalent of a $200 pay cut because the minimum wage stayed the same while
the cost of living went up. Democrats and Republicans agree that indexing
the minimum wage to inflation would ensure that working families can keep up
with expenses. Unfortunately, those families will continue suffer if Congress
continues to not act. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-add-space: auto"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6"
class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; COLOR: #1f497d"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Helping
parents make ends meet.</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
Around 60 percent of workers who would benefit from a higher minimum wage are
women. Less than 20 percent are teenagers. Also, those workers who
would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage brought home 46 percent of
their household’s total wage and salary income in 2011. Raising the
minimum wage directly helps parents make ends meet and support their
families.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoHeader align=center><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; COLOR: red; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto"
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style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">###</SPAN></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>