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KUAR, PBS Look at Minimum Wage Issue in Arkansas

2 min read

KUAR‘s Jacob Kauffman recently took an in-depth look at the minimum wage issue that will be on the Nov. 4 ballot in Arkansas.

The initiative aims to raise the state’s minimum wage from its current rate, $6.25, to $8.50 by Jan. 1, 2017, in three increments.

Kauffman’s look at the ballot initiative — that turned in more than 129,000 signatures to Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin — was recently featured on PBS Newshour.

Kauffman spoke with various individuals with differing opinions on the minimum wage, including Gloria Smith with Arkansas Community Organizations, who was seen going door-to-door to remind Arkansas residents to vote.

“It would help a lot of families. Especially mothers who have children in daycare. A lot of people have to go through churches to get food to make out, because they can’t afford to buy the food. So, I would like to see businesses pay people what they are worth.”

Kauffman also spoke with Roger Lacy, a business owner, who opposed the measure because of the possible effect on businesses hiring teenage workers.

“My big opposition to the minimum wage is what it does to the teenage community. Currently, about 24 percent of minimum wage workers are teenagers. When you price the per-hour rate to where people don’t want to hire them, then they won’t get on the ladder to getting a job.”

Kauffman also spoke with Gregory Shufeldt, a UALR political science professor, about the possible effects the ballot initiative could have on other races as the initiative is hoped to bring out more liberal voters in November.

If the initiative is passed, Arkansas’ minimum wage would go to $7.50 per hour on Jan. 1. Then, increase to $8.00 on Jan. 1, 2016, and then $8.50 on Jan. 1, 2017.

Look below to see the video in its entirety. 

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