[Vision2020] Minimum wages (was: Huh?)

[Kenneth Marcy]

On 9/18/2012 4:37 PM, deb wrote:
> Big surprise....$200,000? How many people in Idaho do you think make 
> that? Well, aside from University presidents and coaches, politicians, 
> and that Melaluca dude....Maybe 5? On the Palouse? Maybe 6 total? Just 
> guessing, but around here $50,000 is BIG MONEY!!
> Debi R-S

NPR reports this morning that the Oregon state minimum wage is scheduled 
to rise fifteen cents per hour to $8.95 per hour. The only state with a 
higher minimum wage is Washington, where it is $9.04. Idaho? $7.25, the 
same as the Federal minimum wage.

Multiplying those numbers by 2,080 (52 weeks of 40 hours per week) 
Oregon's minimum annual wage is $18,616.00, Washington's minimum is 
$18,803.20, and Idaho's minimum is $15,080.00. The national poverty line 
for a family of two is $14,570.00 per year.

Not unexpectedly, there are exceptions. Full-time high school or college 
students who work part-time may be paid 85% of the Idaho minimum wage 
(as little as $6.16 per hour) for up to 20 hours of work at certain 
employers. Federal law allows any employer in Idaho to pay a new 
employee who is under 20 years of age a training wage of $4.25 per hour 
for the first 90 days of employment. Employees who earn a certain amount 
of tips every month may be paid a special cash minimum wage, $3.35, but 
must earn at least $7.25 including tips every hour.


Ken