WEBVTT

00:10.067 --> 00:12.000
>> SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM IS 

00:12.000 --> 00:15.167
PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION FOR 

00:15.167 --> 00:17.133
EXCELLENCE IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC 

00:17.133 --> 00:37.100
BROADCASTING.

00:37.100 --> 00:39.100
>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO 

00:39.100 --> 00:39.833
"LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE."

00:39.833 --> 00:42.100
I'M BETH COURTNEY, PRESIDENT OF

00:42.100 --> 00:43.067
LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

00:43.067 --> 00:45.367
>> AND I'M SHAUNA SANFORD, 

00:45.367 --> 00:46.967
COHOST OF LOUISIANA, THE STATE 

00:46.967 --> 00:47.567
WE'RE IN.

00:47.567 --> 00:48.900
IN 1938, UNITED STATES 

00:48.900 --> 00:51.300
ESTABLISHED A MINIMUM WAGE OF 

00:51.300 --> 00:52.567
25 CENTS PER HOUR UNDER THE 

00:52.567 --> 00:54.300
FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT.

00:54.300 --> 00:56.333
OVER THE YEARS, IT HAS BEEN 

00:56.333 --> 00:58.000
RAISED MORE THAN 25 TIMES, MOST

00:58.000 --> 01:00.000
RECENTLY IN 2009 TO ITS CURRENT

01:00.000 --> 01:03.533
RATE OF $7.25.

01:03.533 --> 01:04.833
45 STATES HAVE THEIR OWN 

01:04.833 --> 01:06.633
MINIMUM WAGE LAWS AND 21 OF 

01:06.633 --> 01:08.233
THEM PAY HIGHER THAN THE 

01:08.233 --> 01:09.000
FEDERAL RATE.

01:09.000 --> 01:10.467
LOUISIANA IS ONE OF THE FIVE 

01:10.467 --> 01:12.600
STATES THAT DOES NOT HAVE ITS 

01:12.600 --> 01:14.067
OWN MINIMUM WAGE LAW.

01:14.067 --> 01:16.267
>> BUT THAT COULD CHANGE THIS 

01:16.267 --> 01:16.833
SESSION.

01:16.833 --> 01:18.800
14 BILLS HAVE BEEN FILED THAT 

01:18.800 --> 01:20.800
WOULD GIVE THE STATE AND EVEN 

01:20.800 --> 01:22.033
MUNICIPALITIES THE POWER TO SET

01:22.033 --> 01:23.533
A MINIMUM WAGE.

01:23.533 --> 01:26.333
ONE LAW STARTS THE RATE AT 

01:26.333 --> 01:28.000
$10.10 PER HOUR.

01:28.000 --> 01:29.333
SO, SHOULD LOUISIANA DEVELOP 

01:29.333 --> 01:30.567
ITS OWN MINIMUM WAGE?

01:30.567 --> 01:32.000
HOW HIGH SHOULD IT BE?

01:32.000 --> 01:34.433
AND WOULD SUCH A MOVE HELP THE 

01:34.433 --> 01:37.167
STATE'S WORKING POOR OR 

01:37.167 --> 01:38.033
ULTIMATELY HURT THEM?

01:38.033 --> 01:39.000
TONIGHT "LOUISIANA PUBLIC 

01:39.000 --> 01:40.000
SQUARE" LOOKS FOR ANSWERS ON 

01:40.000 --> 01:43.433
LOUISIANA AND THE MINIMUM WAGE.

01:43.433 --> 01:46.633
>> AS PART OF HIS 2014 STATE OF

01:46.633 --> 01:48.067
THE UNION ADDRESS, PRESIDENT 

01:48.067 --> 01:49.600
OBAMA CALLED ON CONGRESS TO 

01:49.600 --> 01:51.267
RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE FROM ITS

01:51.267 --> 01:54.167
CURRENT RATE OF $7.25 AN HOUR 

01:54.167 --> 01:56.567
TO OVER $10 AN HOUR.

01:56.567 --> 01:59.967
IN THE INTERIM, OBAMA OFFERED A

01:59.967 --> 02:00.333
CHALLENGE.

02:00.333 --> 02:02.367
>> TO EVERY MAYOR, GOVERNOR, 

02:02.367 --> 02:03.933
STATE LEGISLATOR IN AMERICA, I 

02:03.933 --> 02:06.333
SAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR 

02:06.333 --> 02:08.733
CONGRESS TO ACT.

02:08.733 --> 02:10.833
AMERICANS WILL SUPPORT YOU IF 

02:10.833 --> 02:12.333
YOU TAKE THIS ON.

02:12.333 --> 02:14.633
>> FIVE LOUISIANA LAWMAKERS 

02:14.633 --> 02:15.800
ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE AND 

02:15.800 --> 02:17.500
PROPOSED A TOTAL OF 14 BILLS TO

02:17.500 --> 02:19.933
ADDRESS THE MINIMUM WAGE.

02:19.933 --> 02:21.767
AMONG THEM, REPRESENTATIVE 

02:21.767 --> 02:23.000
MARCUS HUNTER, A DEMOCRAT WHO 

02:23.000 --> 02:24.267
REPRESENTS MONROE.

02:24.267 --> 02:26.800
>> WE HAVE CONTINUED AS A STATE

02:26.800 --> 02:28.967
TO INCENTIVIZE CORPORATIONS, 

02:28.967 --> 02:30.000
BIG BUSINESSES, SMALL 

02:30.000 --> 02:31.233
BUSINESSES FOR DECADES.

02:31.233 --> 02:32.967
AND IT IS TIME FOR THAT MONEY 

02:32.967 --> 02:35.333
TO TRICKLE DOWN TO SOME OF THE 

02:35.333 --> 02:35.833
EMPLOYEES.

02:35.833 --> 02:37.567
>> HUNTER IS SPONSORING 

02:37.567 --> 02:38.967
LEGISLATION TO NOT ONLY CREATE 

02:38.967 --> 02:41.367
A STATE MINIMUM WAGE BUT ALLOW 

02:41.367 --> 02:43.067
MUNICIPALITIES THE FLEXIBILITY 

02:43.067 --> 02:44.933
TO SET THEIR OWN.

02:44.933 --> 02:46.333
FACING PUSH-BACK FROM COMPANIES

02:46.333 --> 02:48.933
IN HIS DISTRICT, HUNTER SENT 

02:48.933 --> 02:49.767
THEM A CLEAR MESSAGE.

02:49.767 --> 02:51.267
>> I HAVE NO INTEREST IN 

02:51.267 --> 02:52.533
BANKRUPTING YOUR BUSINESS, BUT 

02:52.533 --> 02:54.667
I ALSO EQUALLY HAVE NO INTEREST

02:54.667 --> 02:56.967
IN YOU FLEECING THE EVERYDAY 

02:56.967 --> 02:57.967
HARD-WORKING PERSON.

02:57.967 --> 02:58.933
>> LOUISIANA IS ONE OF THE 

02:58.933 --> 03:00.467
THREE STATES WITH THE HIGHEST 

03:00.467 --> 03:02.167
PERCENTAGE OF HOURLY-PAID 

03:02.167 --> 03:04.000
WORKERS EARNING AT OR BELOW THE

03:04.000 --> 03:05.233
FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE.

03:05.233 --> 03:08.733
A FULL-TIME MINIMUM WAGE 

03:08.733 --> 03:15.200
EMPLOYEE EARNS $15,080 

03:15.200 --> 03:15.767
ANNUALLY.

03:15.767 --> 03:17.967
ACCORDING TO 2012 CENSUS DATA, 

03:17.967 --> 03:19.167
LOUISIANA IS THE THIRD POOREST 

03:19.167 --> 03:21.133
STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

03:21.133 --> 03:23.467
>> WE THINK THE BEST 

03:23.467 --> 03:24.933
ANTIPOVERTY PROGRAM THAT YOU 

03:24.933 --> 03:29.500
COULD HAVE IS A LIVING WAGE FOR

03:29.500 --> 03:29.900
PEOPLE.

03:29.900 --> 03:32.067
>> MOLLER IS THE DIRECTOR OF 

03:32.067 --> 03:33.700
THE LOUISIANA BUDGET PROJECT.

03:33.700 --> 03:35.467
HIS GROUP RECENTLY RELEASED A 

03:35.467 --> 03:37.300
REPORT SUPPORTING THE STATE 

03:37.300 --> 03:38.000
MINIMUM WAGE.

03:38.000 --> 03:39.133
MOLLER FAVORS TYING THE MINIMUM

03:39.133 --> 03:40.600
WAGE TO THE COST OF LIVING.

03:40.600 --> 03:42.867
>> THE VALUE OF THE FEDERAL 

03:42.867 --> 03:44.233
MINIMUM WAGE HAS ERODED AS THE 

03:44.233 --> 03:45.633
COST OF LIVING HAS GONE UP.

03:45.633 --> 03:47.200
SO IF THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE 

03:47.200 --> 03:49.867
HAD KEPT UP WITH INFLATION FROM

03:49.867 --> 03:52.633
1968, IT WOULD BE OVER $10 

03:52.633 --> 03:53.000
TODAY.

03:53.000 --> 03:54.767
>> SUPPORTERS OF RAISING THE 

03:54.767 --> 03:57.000
MINIMUM WAGE SAY THAT AN 

03:57.000 --> 03:58.700
INCREASE NOT ONLY AFFECTS 

03:58.700 --> 04:00.133
WORKERS PRESENTLY MAKING THE 

04:00.133 --> 04:01.600
RATE BUT ALSO WORKERS WHO EARN 

04:01.600 --> 04:02.933
BETWEEN THE CURRENT AND 

04:02.933 --> 04:04.233
PROPOSED NEW ONE.

04:04.233 --> 04:05.400
ACCORDING TO THE LOUISIANA 

04:05.400 --> 04:08.567
BUDGET PROJECT, AN INCREASE TO 

04:08.567 --> 04:09.800
$10.10 PER HOUR WOULD EITHER 

04:09.800 --> 04:11.433
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RAISE 

04:11.433 --> 04:15.367
THE LIVELIHOOD OF OVER 550,000 

04:15.367 --> 04:16.000
LOUISIANANS.

04:16.000 --> 04:17.367
ALTHOUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

04:17.367 --> 04:19.233
LABOR INDICATES THAT 74,000 

04:19.233 --> 04:23.233
TOTAL WORKERS EARN AT OR BELOW 

04:23.233 --> 04:23.900
MINIMUM WAGE.

04:23.900 --> 04:25.800
>> WHEN THE PRICE OF SOMETHING 

04:25.800 --> 04:27.567
GOES UP, PEOPLE BUY LESS.

04:27.567 --> 04:30.200
PRICE OF APPLES GO UP, PEOPLE 

04:30.200 --> 04:35.100
BUY LESS APPLES -- 

04:35.100 --> 04:36.967
>> ECONOMISTS LOREN SCOTT SAYS 

04:36.967 --> 04:38.867
A MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE PRICES 

04:38.867 --> 04:40.467
LOW SKILLED ENTRY LEVEL 

04:40.467 --> 04:41.933
WORKERS, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG 

04:41.933 --> 04:43.500
OUT OF THE MARKETPLACE.

04:43.500 --> 04:44.667
>> THERE IS A CERTAIN SET OF 

04:44.667 --> 04:46.233
PEOPLE OUT THERE, ESPECIALLY 

04:46.233 --> 04:48.000
YOUNG TEENAGERS THAT HAVE NO 

04:48.000 --> 04:50.633
LABOR MARKET SKILL AT ALL, WHO 

04:50.633 --> 04:52.833
AT BEST ARE WORTH $7.35 AN 

04:52.833 --> 04:53.333
HOUR.

04:53.333 --> 04:54.200
THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE WORTH.

04:54.200 --> 04:55.333
THAT IS WHAT THEY ADD TO THE 

04:55.333 --> 04:56.233
VALUE OF THE FIRM.

04:56.233 --> 04:57.867
YOU FORCE A SITUATION WHERE YOU

04:57.867 --> 04:59.933
HAVE TO PAY THAT PERSON $10 AN 

04:59.933 --> 05:01.233
HOUR, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HIRE 

05:01.233 --> 05:02.067
THE PERSON.

05:02.067 --> 05:03.767
>> A CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET 

05:03.767 --> 05:05.733
OFFICE ANALYSIS OF THE 

05:05.733 --> 05:06.733
PRESIDENT'S MINIMUM WAGE 

05:06.733 --> 05:08.033
INCREASE NOTED THAT WHILE IT 

05:08.033 --> 05:10.600
WOULD LIFT 900,000 WORKERS OUT 

05:10.600 --> 05:13.000
OF POVERTY, 500,000 JOBS WOULD 

05:13.000 --> 05:13.733
BE LOST.

05:13.733 --> 05:16.433
FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNER 

05:16.433 --> 05:18.033
PATRICIA FELDER, A MINIMUM WAGE

05:18.033 --> 05:19.067
INCREASE MEANS SHE WILL BE 

05:19.067 --> 05:21.033
UNABLE TO TAKE ON NEW WORKERS.

05:21.033 --> 05:23.733
>> IF I HAVE A CHOICE BETWEEN 

05:23.733 --> 05:26.267
ASKING MY EMPLOYEES IF THEY 

05:26.267 --> 05:28.267
WANT TO MAKE MORE ADDITIONAL 

05:28.267 --> 05:30.233
OVERTIME, OR TAKING ON THAT ONE

05:30.233 --> 05:32.267
ADDITIONAL PERSON THAT I 

05:32.267 --> 05:34.333
PERHAPS WOULD HAVE HIRED, I'LL 

05:34.333 --> 05:37.233
CHOOSE NOT TO DO SO.

05:37.233 --> 05:39.433
AS WILL MOST SMALL BUSINESSES.

05:39.433 --> 05:41.233
>> ACCORDING TO THE SMALL 

05:41.233 --> 05:43.233
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, 

05:43.233 --> 05:44.367
BUSINESSES EMPLOYING FEWER THAN

05:44.367 --> 05:46.933
500 WORKERS ACCOUNT FOR OVER 

05:46.933 --> 05:50.367
97% OF LOUISIANA'S EMPLOYERS.

05:50.367 --> 05:51.600
DAWN STARNS THE STATE DIRECTOR 

05:51.600 --> 05:55.733
OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF 

05:55.733 --> 05:57.533
INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES 

05:57.533 --> 05:59.200
CONDUCTED A SURVEY ON PROPOSED 

05:59.200 --> 06:00.233
MINIMUM WAGE LEGISLATION.

06:00.233 --> 06:03.333
>> WE HAVE OVER 4,300 MEMBERS 

06:03.333 --> 06:04.200
STATEWIDE IN LOUISIANA.

06:04.200 --> 06:06.200
WE HAD 90% OF OUR MEMBERS TELL 

06:06.200 --> 06:07.667
US THAT THIS WAS -- THAT THIS 

06:07.667 --> 06:09.000
WAS SOMETHING THAT WE HAD TO 

06:09.000 --> 06:12.667
WORK FOR THEM AND OPPOSE THIS 

06:12.667 --> 06:14.533
FOR THE SESSION.

06:14.533 --> 06:16.867
>> STARNS SAYS SMALL BUSINESSES

06:16.867 --> 06:19.767
FACE THREE CHOICES FROM THE 

06:19.767 --> 06:20.667
INCREASE.

06:20.667 --> 06:24.200
LAY OFF EMPLOYEES, ADD INCREASE

06:24.200 --> 06:26.567
ON TO THE CONSUMER -- 

06:26.567 --> 06:28.300
>> SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WE 

06:28.300 --> 06:30.367
REPRESENT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO

06:30.367 --> 06:34.833
HAVE THE ABILITY TO PASS THAT 

06:34.833 --> 06:36.200
ALONG BECAUSE THAT MEANS 

06:36.200 --> 06:38.200
INCREASING THE COST OF GOODS AR

06:38.200 --> 06:38.967
SERVICES AND -- 

06:38.967 --> 06:41.433
>> HIGHER LABOR COSTS OFFSET BY

06:41.433 --> 06:43.267
INCREASED CONSUMER SPENDING.

06:43.267 --> 06:45.133
>> SOME SMALL BUSINESSES, SURE,

06:45.133 --> 06:46.567
THEY'RE GOING TO PAY A LITTLE 

06:46.567 --> 06:47.100
MORE.

06:47.100 --> 06:48.533
INCREASE THE COST OF DOING 

06:48.533 --> 06:49.067
BUSINESS.

06:49.067 --> 06:50.267
BUT BUSINESSES WILL ALSO GET 

06:50.267 --> 06:51.800
MORE CUSTOMERS FROM THE HIGHER 

06:51.800 --> 06:53.167
WAGES AND THAT IS GOING TO 

06:53.167 --> 06:53.833
SUPPORT JOBS.

06:53.833 --> 06:56.400
>> SCOTT SAYS INCREASED 

06:56.400 --> 06:58.867
CONSUMER PRICES WILL FURTHER 

06:58.867 --> 07:00.133
HURT THE POOR PLUS DRIVE 

07:00.133 --> 07:00.967
UNEMPLOYMENT HIGHER.

07:00.967 --> 07:02.967
>> ONCE YOU RAISE THE PRICE OF 

07:02.967 --> 07:06.433
HAMBURGER 10%, GUESS WHAT, 

07:06.433 --> 07:08.667
PEOPLE BUY FEWER HAMBURGERS AND

07:08.667 --> 07:10.000
PIZZA SO YOU NEED FEWER PEOPLE 

07:10.000 --> 07:10.933
AROUND TO PRODUCE THEM.

07:10.933 --> 07:13.100
>> RATHER THAN INCREASING THE 

07:13.100 --> 07:14.800
MINIMUM WAGE, SCOTT SUPPORTS 

07:14.800 --> 07:16.100
BROADENING THE FEDERAL EARNED 

07:16.100 --> 07:18.233
INCOME TAX CREDIT THAT LOW TO 

07:18.233 --> 07:20.600
MODERATE INCOME WORKERS RECEIVE

07:20.600 --> 07:21.867
WHEN FILING THEIR INCOME TAX 

07:21.867 --> 07:22.400
RETURNS.

07:22.400 --> 07:23.367
>> IF YOU THINK THAT PEOPLE -- 

07:23.367 --> 07:24.600
THAT YOU WANT TO HELP PEOPLE 

07:24.600 --> 07:27.367
WHO ARE POOR, GET THEM MONEY, 

07:27.367 --> 07:28.600
AND THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF 

07:28.600 --> 07:30.367
THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT 

07:30.367 --> 07:32.600
WAS TO HAVE A WAY OF TAKING 

07:32.600 --> 07:35.733
MONEY AWAY FROM, IF YOU LIKE, 

07:35.733 --> 07:38.033
MY WIFE AND I, AND GIVING IT TO

07:38.033 --> 07:39.267
PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT DOING NEARLY

07:39.267 --> 07:40.867
AS WELL AS MY WIFE AND I ARE.

07:40.867 --> 07:42.233
>> AS THE MINIMUM WAGE DEBATE 

07:42.233 --> 07:43.600
HEATS UP THIS SESSION, 

07:43.600 --> 07:44.600
REPRESENTATIVE HUNTER WILL JOIN

07:44.600 --> 07:46.600
FOUR OF THE DEMOCRATIC 

07:46.600 --> 07:48.033
COLLEAGUES FOR PUSHING IN WHAT 

07:48.033 --> 07:50.200
THEY SEE AS THE BEST 

07:50.200 --> 07:53.000
ALTERNATIVE FOR THE LOW INCOME 

07:53.000 --> 07:53.467
CONSTITUENTS.

07:53.467 --> 07:55.133
>> WE HAVE GONE TO GREAT 

07:55.133 --> 08:00.233
LENGTHS TO PROTECT 

08:00.233 --> 08:01.333
CORPORATIONS, BIG BUSINESS, 

08:01.333 --> 08:01.700
EMPLOYERS.

08:01.700 --> 08:02.567
I THINK IT IS TIME TO GET TO 

08:02.567 --> 08:04.300
THE NITTY-GRITTY AND TRY TO 

08:04.300 --> 08:06.100
PROTECT THE EVERY-DAY WORKER.

08:06.100 --> 08:08.567
THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD, THE 

08:08.567 --> 08:10.200
PEOPLE WHO SENT US HERE, THE 

08:10.200 --> 08:11.767
PEOPLE WHO STAND TOGETHER FOR 

08:11.767 --> 08:14.967
LOUISIANA.

08:14.967 --> 08:16.567
>> STANDING TOGETHER FOR 

08:16.567 --> 08:17.867
LOUISIANA AND OUR STUDIO 

08:17.867 --> 08:19.400
AUDIENCE ARE RESIDENTS FROM THE

08:19.400 --> 08:20.833
GREATER BATON ROUGE AREA.

08:20.833 --> 08:22.567
MEMBERS OF THE YOUNG DEMOCRATS 

08:22.567 --> 08:23.567
OF LOUISIANA, THE YOUNG 

08:23.567 --> 08:25.700
AMERICANS FOR LIBERTY, AND THE 

08:25.700 --> 08:27.533
LEGISLATIVE YOUTH ADVISORY 

08:27.533 --> 08:28.133
COUNCIL.

08:28.133 --> 08:29.667
ALSO JOINING US ARE BUSINESS 

08:29.667 --> 08:31.800
OWNERS AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF 

08:31.800 --> 08:34.033
THE WORKPLACE JUSTICE PROJECT.

08:34.033 --> 08:36.167
WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO THE SHOW.

08:36.167 --> 08:38.533
LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT 

08:38.533 --> 08:39.000
DISCUSSION.

08:39.000 --> 08:41.267
LSU PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH LAB 

08:41.267 --> 08:43.633
SURVEYED NEARLY 150 CITIZENS ON

08:43.633 --> 08:44.533
THE TOPIC TONIGHT.

08:44.533 --> 08:47.033
AND HERE IS A LOOK AT SOME OF 

08:47.033 --> 08:48.067
THEIR RESPONSES.

08:48.067 --> 08:49.600
WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD 

08:49.600 --> 08:51.000
SUPPORT LOUISIANA HAVING ITS 

08:51.000 --> 08:52.933
OWN STATEWIDE MINIMUM WAGE LAW,

08:52.933 --> 08:54.533
56% SAID YES.

08:54.533 --> 08:56.233
30% WOULD OPPOSE SUCH A MOVE, 

08:56.233 --> 08:58.367
AND 12% WERE UNSURE.

08:58.367 --> 09:00.767
AS FAR AS RAISING THE FEDERAL 

09:00.767 --> 09:03.533
MINIMUM WAGE FROM $7.25 TO 

09:03.533 --> 09:06.467
$10.10 PER HOUR, 54% SUPPORT 

09:06.467 --> 09:07.833
THE INCREASE.

09:07.833 --> 09:10.800
43% OPPOSE IT, AND 3% WERE NOT 

09:10.800 --> 09:11.200
SURE.

09:11.200 --> 09:12.833
BUT WHEN GIVEN THE FINDINGS OF 

09:12.833 --> 09:14.667
THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE

09:14.667 --> 09:15.967
THAT SUCH AN INCREASE COULD 

09:15.967 --> 09:18.900
RESULT IN THE LOSS OF ROUGHLY 

09:18.900 --> 09:20.733
500,000 JOBS, SUPPORT FOR A 

09:20.733 --> 09:23.000
FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE 

09:23.000 --> 09:25.233
DROPS, WITH 56% OF THOSE 

09:25.233 --> 09:26.700
OPPOSING SUCH A MOVE.

09:26.700 --> 09:28.967
39% SUPPORTING THE INCREASE.

09:28.967 --> 09:31.067
AND 5% UNSURE.

09:31.067 --> 09:32.567
AND WHEN GIVEN THE CHOICE OF 

09:32.567 --> 09:34.100
EITHER EXPANDING THE EARNED 

09:34.100 --> 09:35.600
INCOME TAX CREDIT AS A WAY TO 

09:35.600 --> 09:37.600
HELP THE WORKING POOR OR 

09:37.600 --> 09:39.900
RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE, 46% 

09:39.900 --> 09:41.467
WOULD OPT TO INCREASE THE 

09:41.467 --> 09:43.033
MINIMUM WAGE.

09:43.033 --> 09:45.133
38% WOULD EXPAND THE TAX 

09:45.133 --> 09:45.600
CREDIT.

09:45.600 --> 09:47.467
AND 10% WOULDN'T DO EITHER ONE.

09:47.467 --> 09:50.833
THE REMAINING 6% WERE EITHER 

09:50.833 --> 09:52.467
UNSURE OR REFUSED TO ANSWER.

09:52.467 --> 09:54.067
SO, TONIGHT TO GET THIS 

09:54.067 --> 09:55.967
DISCUSSION GOING, LET'S START 

09:55.967 --> 09:56.467
THERE.

09:56.467 --> 09:58.200
YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHETHER THE 

09:58.200 --> 10:00.267
MINIMUM WAGE, RAISING THE 

10:00.267 --> 10:01.300
MINIMUM WAGE WOULD HELP THE 

10:01.300 --> 10:02.400
WORKING POOR OR DO YOU THINK 

10:02.400 --> 10:04.033
THAT IT WOULD HURT MORE THAN IT

10:04.033 --> 10:06.567
WOULD ACTUALLY HELP THEM?

10:06.567 --> 10:09.433
AND LET'S START WITH YOU.

10:09.433 --> 10:11.433
>> I THINK INCREASING THE 

10:11.433 --> 10:12.933
MINIMUM WAGE WOULD ACTUALLY 

10:12.933 --> 10:14.600
HURT THE WORKING POOR.

10:14.600 --> 10:15.733
INCREASE OF EMPLOYMENT -- 

10:15.733 --> 10:18.400
STIRRED BY THE INCREASE IN 

10:18.400 --> 10:19.400
MINIMUM WAGE WOULD JUST CAUSE 

10:19.400 --> 10:20.033
MORE POVERTY -- 

10:20.033 --> 10:21.600
>> YOU ARE FOR NOT RAISING THE 

10:21.600 --> 10:22.200
MINIMUM WAGE.

10:22.200 --> 10:22.933
>> YES.

10:22.933 --> 10:24.433
>> TIFFANY, DIFFERENT 

10:24.433 --> 10:25.567
PERSPECTIVE OR DO YOU SHARE THE

10:25.567 --> 10:26.333
SAME THOUGHTS?

10:26.333 --> 10:28.633
>> I THINK IT REALLY IS A 

10:28.633 --> 10:30.800
PERSONAL SITUATION, AND IN SOME

10:30.800 --> 10:31.867
INSTANCES IT WILL HELP.

10:31.867 --> 10:35.267
BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 

10:35.267 --> 10:36.867
UNIVERSALLY, AND SO AT THE SAME

10:36.867 --> 10:39.133
TIME, I DO SEE WHERE THERE WILL

10:39.133 --> 10:40.700
BE AN IMPACT.

10:40.700 --> 10:42.967
SO, IT'S -- FOR ME IT'S 

10:42.967 --> 10:43.500
BORDERLINE.

10:43.500 --> 10:45.800
AND I THINK IT REALLY BOILS 

10:45.800 --> 10:47.900
DOWN TO THAT INDIVIDUAL 

10:47.900 --> 10:48.400
HOUSEHOLD.

10:48.400 --> 10:48.967
>> LEWIS.

10:48.967 --> 10:51.767
>> I BELIEVE IT WOULD HURT THE 

10:51.767 --> 10:53.767
POOR AND THE WORKER IN 

10:53.767 --> 10:54.633
LOUISIANA OVERALL.

10:54.633 --> 10:56.400
>> OKAY.

10:56.400 --> 10:56.900
TIMOTHY.

10:56.900 --> 10:59.100
>> WELL, I THINK IT WOULD BE --

10:59.100 --> 11:00.733
IT NEEDS TO BE RAISED, AND I 

11:00.733 --> 11:02.233
THINK THAT IT IS -- IT IS 

11:02.233 --> 11:03.633
ASHAME THAT IF A PERSON WORKS 

11:03.633 --> 11:06.033
40 HOURS A WEEK AND THEY GET A 

11:06.033 --> 11:07.233
CHECK THAT IS THAT LITTLE TO 

11:07.233 --> 11:08.133
SUPPORT A FAMILY.

11:08.133 --> 11:09.867
I THINK NOBODY SHOULD BE 

11:09.867 --> 11:11.233
WORKING 40 HOURS AND LIVING IN 

11:11.233 --> 11:11.800
POVERTY.

11:11.800 --> 11:13.833
BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE NEEDS

11:13.833 --> 11:15.933
TO BE A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD OF 

11:15.933 --> 11:17.300
WHEN YOU RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE

11:17.300 --> 11:19.533
AND DO IT AT A RATE WHERE 

11:19.533 --> 11:21.733
BUSINESSES CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE

11:21.733 --> 11:23.400
DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD.

11:23.400 --> 11:25.033
>> MAYBE PHASE IT IN INSTEAD OF

11:25.033 --> 11:25.800
ALL AT ONCE?

11:25.800 --> 11:26.500
>> CORRECT.

11:26.500 --> 11:27.900
>> WE HAVE BUSINESS OWNERS HERE

11:27.900 --> 11:28.733
IN THE AUDIENCE.

11:28.733 --> 11:30.300
GARRETT, DO YOU THINK THAT IT 

11:30.300 --> 11:32.233
WILL HURT THEM MORE THAN HELP 

11:32.233 --> 11:34.133
THEM OR DO YOU THINK THAT 

11:34.133 --> 11:36.167
RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE WILL 

11:36.167 --> 11:38.133
HELP THOSE LOW EARNING 

11:38.133 --> 11:38.633
EMPLOYEES?

11:38.633 --> 11:42.933
>> ECHOING HIS -- I DO BELIEVE 

11:42.933 --> 11:44.833
IT SHOULD BE PHASED IN OVER 

11:44.833 --> 11:45.300
TIME.

11:45.300 --> 11:46.867
I BELIEVE THE MINIMUM WAGE IS 

11:46.867 --> 11:48.800
MORE OF A BAND-AID ON THE 

11:48.800 --> 11:49.300
PROBLEM.

11:49.300 --> 11:51.300
I THINK WE SHOULD FOCUS MORE ON

11:51.300 --> 11:52.300
SKILLED FORMATION AND 

11:52.300 --> 11:53.433
ADVANCEMENT IN THE WORKPLACE.

11:53.433 --> 11:55.100
I THINK THAT IS THE WAY TO 

11:55.100 --> 11:57.000
REALLY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND 

11:57.000 --> 11:59.667
I BELIEVE THAT IF WORKERS ARE 

11:59.667 --> 12:02.967
TO BE CUT BY THE EMPLOYERS, 

12:02.967 --> 12:05.033
THOSE THAT ARE IMPOVERISHED 

12:05.033 --> 12:06.200
EARNING MINIMUM WAGE ARE THE 

12:06.200 --> 12:08.933
FIRST TO BE CUT DUE TO 

12:08.933 --> 12:11.333
UNRELIABLE TRANSPORTATION 

12:11.333 --> 12:11.800
AND -- 

12:11.800 --> 12:13.067
>> LET'S HEAR FROM SOME OF THE 

12:13.067 --> 12:13.967
BUSINESS OWNERS.

12:13.967 --> 12:15.333
SCOTT YOU OWN A SMALL BUSINESS.

12:15.333 --> 12:16.400
TELL US ABOUT THAT AND WHERE 

12:16.400 --> 12:17.867
YOU STAND ON THE ISSUE.

12:17.867 --> 12:19.433
>> WELL, WE OPPOSE BEING FORCED

12:19.433 --> 12:22.000
TO PAY A SPECIFIC AMOUNT.

12:22.000 --> 12:23.433
IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE 

12:23.433 --> 12:24.500
BUSINESSES THEMSELVES.

12:24.500 --> 12:25.833
WE'RE A SPECIALTY COMPANY, 

12:25.833 --> 12:26.800
SPORTING GOODS STORE.

12:26.800 --> 12:28.900
YOU HAVE TO BE UNIQUE ON THE 

12:28.900 --> 12:30.467
PERSONNEL THAT YOU'RE HIRING, 

12:30.467 --> 12:31.867
IN THAT THAT PERSON AT LEAST 

12:31.867 --> 12:33.767
HAS TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE 

12:33.767 --> 12:35.167
PRODUCTS THAT YOU'RE SELLING.

12:35.167 --> 12:37.800
WE ACTUALLY PAY ABOVE A 

12:37.800 --> 12:39.033
STARTING MINIMUM WAGE, BUT 

12:39.033 --> 12:40.833
FORCING ME TO PAY A CERTAIN 

12:40.833 --> 12:42.333
AMOUNT DOESN'T GIVE ME THAT 

12:42.333 --> 12:42.800
LEEWAY.

12:42.800 --> 12:44.667
PLUS WHEN I LOOK AT THE STAFF 

12:44.667 --> 12:46.967
THAT I ACTUALLY HAVE, WHAT DO I

12:46.967 --> 12:49.100
HAVE TO DO TO THEM TO GET THEM 

12:49.100 --> 12:51.333
THEIR SENIORITY THAT THEY 

12:51.333 --> 12:53.333
CURRENTLY HAVE AS WELL?

12:53.333 --> 12:55.967
IT DOMINO EFFECTS DOWN THE 

12:55.967 --> 12:56.467
LINE.

12:56.467 --> 12:57.633
>> YOU ARE CURRENTLY PAYING 

12:57.633 --> 12:58.567
BEFORE $7.25.

12:58.567 --> 12:59.267
>> YES, MA'AM.

12:59.267 --> 13:00.400
>> WHAT ABOUT THE IDEA OF 

13:00.400 --> 13:01.500
PHASING THAT INCREASE OVER A 

13:01.500 --> 13:02.300
PERIOD OF TIME.

13:02.300 --> 13:03.433
HOW DO SMALL BUSINESSES FEEL 

13:03.433 --> 13:04.133
LIKE THAT?

13:04.133 --> 13:05.533
IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE NOT 

13:05.533 --> 13:07.100
AGAINST RAISING THE MINIMUM 

13:07.100 --> 13:07.600
WAGE -- 

13:07.600 --> 13:09.267
>> I'M NOT AGAINST BEING TOLD 

13:09.267 --> 13:11.533
WHAT I HAVE TO PAY SOMEONE.

13:11.533 --> 13:12.567
I'M AGAINST BEING TOLD -- 

13:12.567 --> 13:13.267
EXCUSE ME.

13:13.267 --> 13:14.400
>> YOU ARE AGAINST BEING TOLD 

13:14.400 --> 13:15.567
WHAT YOU HAVE TO PAY.

13:15.567 --> 13:17.000
NOT NECESSARILY AGAINST RAISING

13:17.000 --> 13:17.300
IT.

13:17.300 --> 13:18.000
>> CORRECT.

13:18.000 --> 13:19.467
SETTING A LIMIT FOR US, FOR A 

13:19.467 --> 13:21.267
SMALL BUSINESS ITSELF, GIVE US 

13:21.267 --> 13:24.000
THE LEEWAY OF GOING ABLE TO 

13:24.000 --> 13:25.633
STAIR STEP PEOPLE UP THE 

13:25.633 --> 13:26.100
LADDER.

13:26.100 --> 13:27.067
WE DO THAT NOW.

13:27.067 --> 13:28.767
MOST BUSINESSES DO THAT NOW 

13:28.767 --> 13:30.167
BASED ON SENIORITY AS WELL.

13:30.167 --> 13:32.267
IF YOU EARN YOUR JOB, THEN YOU 

13:32.267 --> 13:34.033
WILL GET PAID ACCORDINGLY.

13:34.033 --> 13:37.067
BUT BEING, SETTING A SET LIMIT 

13:37.067 --> 13:39.567
AT SUCH UNSKILLED LABOR AT THIS

13:39.567 --> 13:41.267
TIME IS ONLY GOING TO RELATE TO

13:41.267 --> 13:42.300
INCREASED PRICES SOMEWHERE 

13:42.300 --> 13:44.467
ELSE, OR THE FACT THAT WE WON'T

13:44.467 --> 13:45.267
HIRE SOMEONE.

13:45.267 --> 13:46.667
>> JOHN, YOU ARE A BUSINESS 

13:46.667 --> 13:47.867
OWNER AS WELL.

13:47.867 --> 13:49.667
YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

13:49.667 --> 13:51.667
>> I HAVE AN I.T. COMPANY, AND 

13:51.667 --> 13:52.800
SO PEOPLE MIGHT THINK I DON'T 

13:52.800 --> 13:54.267
HAVE A DOG IN THIS HUNT.

13:54.267 --> 13:55.033
BUT I DO.

13:55.033 --> 13:57.400
BECAUSE WE HAVE AN INTERNSHIP 

13:57.400 --> 13:58.333
PROGRAM.

13:58.333 --> 14:02.200
AND THOSE INTERNS, WE PAY $8 OR

14:02.200 --> 14:04.767
$9 AN HOUR, BUT THEN WE INVEST 

14:04.767 --> 14:07.267
REALLY HEAVILY IN THEM IN 

14:07.267 --> 14:09.200
MENTOR SHIP FROM THE OTHER I.T.

14:09.200 --> 14:12.267
PROFESSIONALS AND ALSO TRAINING

14:12.267 --> 14:12.800
RESOURCES.

14:12.800 --> 14:18.733
SO, FROM A BUSINESS OWNER'S 

14:18.733 --> 14:19.767
PERSPECTIVE, ANY TIME YOU ADD 

14:19.767 --> 14:20.400
SIGNIFICANT OVERHEAD TO 

14:20.400 --> 14:21.200
SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT 

14:21.200 --> 14:22.533
WHERE ARE WE GOING TO MAKE THAT

14:22.533 --> 14:22.967
UP?

14:22.967 --> 14:25.000
FOR US CURTAILING THE NUMBER OF

14:25.000 --> 14:27.200
INTERNS THAT WE CAN HIRE IN A 

14:27.200 --> 14:28.100
YEAR.

14:28.100 --> 14:29.500
IT'S UNFORTUNATE.

14:29.500 --> 14:31.367
IT REDUCES THE OPPORTUNITIES 

14:31.367 --> 14:33.667
FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE VERY LITTLE

14:33.667 --> 14:35.367
EXPERIENCE, VERY LITTLE 

14:35.367 --> 14:37.367
EDUCATION, TO GET AN ENTRY INTO

14:37.367 --> 14:39.100
A HIGH-PAYING, GREAT 

14:39.100 --> 14:40.000
PROFESSIONAL CAREER.

14:40.000 --> 14:41.800
>> SO, FOR YOU, RAISING THE 

14:41.800 --> 14:42.833
MINIMUM WAGE WOULD DEFINITELY 

14:42.833 --> 14:44.567
HURT BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T HAVE

14:44.567 --> 14:45.733
ACCESS TO THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

14:45.733 --> 14:46.867
THAT'S HOW YOU SEE IT?

14:46.867 --> 14:49.200
>> WELL, IT WOULD HURT US, BUT 

14:49.200 --> 14:51.000
I THINK IT WOULD EQUALLY HURT 

14:51.000 --> 14:52.267
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO 

14:52.267 --> 14:53.667
JUST GET A LEG UP.

14:53.667 --> 14:54.967
SOMETHING BETTER THAN A MINIMUM

14:54.967 --> 14:55.533
WAGE JOB.

14:55.533 --> 14:56.967
>> WELL, LET'S TALK TO 

14:56.967 --> 14:58.067
CHRISTIAN, WHO IS A YOUNG 

14:58.067 --> 14:59.533
STUDENT HERE WITH US.

14:59.533 --> 15:01.033
VERY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE 

15:01.033 --> 15:01.800
WITH US TONIGHT.

15:01.800 --> 15:05.033
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT YOUNGSTERS 

15:05.033 --> 15:06.633
EARNING MINIMUM WAGE OR IN 

15:06.633 --> 15:07.333
MINIMUM WAGE JOBS.

15:07.333 --> 15:09.833
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?

15:09.833 --> 15:11.767
>> I DO FEEL LIKE MINIMUM WAGE 

15:11.767 --> 15:15.433
SHOULD BE INCREASED TO REALLY 

15:15.433 --> 15:16.967
GIVE PEOPLE EARNING THE MINIMUM

15:16.967 --> 15:18.133
WAGE AN ABILITY TO KEEP UP WITH

15:18.133 --> 15:19.400
THE COST OF LIVING.

15:19.400 --> 15:21.133
I THINK THAT THE MINIMUM WAGE 

15:21.133 --> 15:22.867
SHOULD BE A LIVABLE WAGE.

15:22.867 --> 15:26.867
YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SOME -- 

15:26.867 --> 15:28.867
THERE ARE SOME TIMES LIKE HE 

15:28.867 --> 15:30.767
WAS SAYING WHERE, YOU KNOW, 

15:30.767 --> 15:31.933
INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE 

15:31.933 --> 15:33.133
MIGHT HURT PEOPLE TRYING TO 

15:33.133 --> 15:34.733
GAIN AN INTERN EXPERIENCE OR 

15:34.733 --> 15:35.700
SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

15:35.700 --> 15:38.267
LIKE SHE WAS SAYING, IT'S 

15:38.267 --> 15:39.333
DIFFERENT FOR DIFFERENT 

15:39.333 --> 15:39.833
SITUATIONS.

15:39.833 --> 15:40.967
BUT I THINK AS A WHOLE, THERE 

15:40.967 --> 15:42.467
ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING TO 

15:42.467 --> 15:44.000
MAKE A LIVING AT THE MINIMUM 

15:44.000 --> 15:47.200
WAGE, AND I THINK WE DO NEED TO

15:47.200 --> 15:48.533
RECOGNIZE THAT AND SAY, YOU 

15:48.533 --> 15:50.433
KNOW, SOMEONE WORKING 40 HOURS 

15:50.433 --> 15:51.733
A WEEK, SOMEONE DOING WHAT THEY

15:51.733 --> 15:53.500
NEED TO BE DOING, WORKING A 

15:53.500 --> 15:54.667
FULL-TIME JOB SHOULD BE ABLE TO

15:54.667 --> 15:56.967
HAVE A WAGE THAT THEY CAN LIVE 

15:56.967 --> 15:58.867
OFF OF COMFORTABLY AND WITHOUT 

15:58.867 --> 16:00.267
HAVING TO LIVE PAYCHECK TO 

16:00.267 --> 16:01.467
PAYCHECK, WITHOUT HAVING TO 

16:01.467 --> 16:03.733
WORRY ABOUT AM I GOING TO BE 

16:03.733 --> 16:04.900
ABLE TO EAT NEXT WEEK?

16:04.900 --> 16:06.167
THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE 

16:06.167 --> 16:08.933
THAT COMFORT AS A FULL-TIME 

16:08.933 --> 16:09.433
WORKER.

16:09.433 --> 16:10.833
>> YOU SEE THAT BY RAISING THE 

16:10.833 --> 16:12.633
MINIMUM WAGE, IT WOULD HELP THE

16:12.633 --> 16:13.633
LOW-INCOME EARNERS.

16:13.633 --> 16:15.333
>> I DO.

16:15.333 --> 16:16.800
OBVIOUSLY THERE WILL BE SOME 

16:16.800 --> 16:18.533
PEOPLE WHO WILL BE NEGATIVELY 

16:18.533 --> 16:19.667
AFFECTED BY THE MINIMUM WAGE.

16:19.667 --> 16:21.067
THAT IS DEFINITELY TRUE.

16:21.067 --> 16:23.633
BUT I THINK AS A WHOLE, IT WILL

16:23.633 --> 16:25.200
BENEFIT MORE PEOPLE THAN IT 

16:25.200 --> 16:25.900
WILL HURT.

16:25.900 --> 16:27.467
>> DR. THOMAS, YOUR THOUGHTS.

16:27.467 --> 16:29.833
>> I FEEL THE SAME WAY, TOO.

16:29.833 --> 16:32.600
IT WILL HELP SOME, AND OTHERS 

16:32.600 --> 16:36.067
IT WILL HINDER, BUT OVERALL, 

16:36.067 --> 16:37.733
EVERYTHING IS CHANGING.

16:37.733 --> 16:40.867
AND THE BASIC NECESSITY, THE 

16:40.867 --> 16:43.067
STEADY INCREASING, THE COST OF 

16:43.067 --> 16:44.500
LIVING, EVERYDAY LIVING, AND IT

16:44.500 --> 16:45.967
IS VERY DIFFICULT TO LIVE ON 

16:45.967 --> 16:46.933
THE MINIMUM WAGE.

16:46.933 --> 16:48.600
>> UH-HMM.

16:48.600 --> 16:49.567
MATTHEW, YOUR THOUGHTS.

16:49.567 --> 16:50.767
>> I DISAGREE WITH THEM.

16:50.767 --> 16:55.867
I THINK IT IS AN IMMORALE TRADE

16:55.867 --> 16:57.167
OFFTO GIVE ONE GROUP AN 

16:57.167 --> 16:59.533
INCREASE IN THE WAGE AND GIVE 

16:59.533 --> 17:00.900
THE OTHER GROUP PINK SLIPS.

17:00.900 --> 17:03.867
I WOULD BE NOT IN FAVOR OF 

17:03.867 --> 17:05.100
RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE 

17:05.100 --> 17:07.467
BECAUSE IT -- IT -- IT MAKES IT

17:07.467 --> 17:10.167
MORE EXPENSIVE TO GIVE YOUNG 

17:10.167 --> 17:13.567
PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES, LIKE JOHN

17:13.567 --> 17:17.167
SAID, AND ALSO THAT'S THE MAIN 

17:17.167 --> 17:17.533
POINT.

17:17.533 --> 17:18.667
>> YEAH, YEAH.

17:18.667 --> 17:21.133
YOU SAID YOU THINK IT WOULD BE 

17:21.133 --> 17:22.567
IMMORAL IS THAT RIGHT?

17:22.567 --> 17:26.133
>> IT IS IMMORAL TO PASS A BILL

17:26.133 --> 17:28.767
THAT HELPS ONE GROUP, BUT THEN 

17:28.767 --> 17:30.867
JUST COMPLETELY BRINGS ONE 

17:30.867 --> 17:33.667
GROUP FROM $7.25 PER HOUR OR A 

17:33.667 --> 17:36.000
LITTLE ABOVE, DOWN TO ZERO 

17:36.000 --> 17:37.667
DOLLARS AN HOUR.

17:37.667 --> 17:39.667
>> ERICA, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU 

17:39.667 --> 17:40.567
TO JUMP IN ON THIS.

17:40.567 --> 17:42.200
I HAVE A FEELING THAT YOU 

17:42.200 --> 17:43.133
DISAGREE WITH THAT.

17:43.133 --> 17:44.000
>> I DO DISAGREE.

17:44.000 --> 17:45.500
I SUPPORT AN INCREASE IN THE 

17:45.500 --> 17:46.567
MINIMUM WAGE.

17:46.567 --> 17:48.033
I DON'T WANT TO REITERATE WHAT 

17:48.033 --> 17:49.767
I THINK SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE 

17:49.767 --> 17:50.867
SAID ELOQUENTLY HERE.

17:50.867 --> 17:52.767
SOME OF THE POINTS BROUGHT OUT 

17:52.767 --> 17:54.100
IN THE PRESENTATION.

17:54.100 --> 17:55.367
THE MINIMUM WAGE IN PARTICULAR 

17:55.367 --> 17:57.767
HAS BEEN KEPT ARTIFICIALLY LOW 

17:57.767 --> 17:59.567
BECAUSE MINIMUM WAGE WAS NEVER 

17:59.567 --> 18:00.600
INDEXED TO INFLATION.

18:00.600 --> 18:02.000
AS MR. MULLER SAID IN THE 

18:02.000 --> 18:03.033
PRESENTATION, IF THE MINIMUM 

18:03.033 --> 18:04.367
WAGE HAD KEPT PACE WITH 

18:04.367 --> 18:06.267
INFLATION BY BEING INDEXED, FOR

18:06.267 --> 18:08.333
EXAMPLE, CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, 

18:08.333 --> 18:10.567
IT WOULD BE OVER $10 AN HOUR 

18:10.567 --> 18:11.733
NOW AND SMALL BUSINESSES WOULD 

18:11.733 --> 18:13.567
HAVE HAD, ALL BUSINESSES, BUT 

18:13.567 --> 18:15.033
PARTICULARLY SMALL BUSINESSES 

18:15.033 --> 18:16.800
WOULD HAVE HAD THAT KNOWLEDGE 

18:16.800 --> 18:17.933
ANNUALLY THAT THEY WERE GOING 

18:17.933 --> 18:19.800
TO HAVE TO INCREASE WAGES EVERY

18:19.800 --> 18:20.233
YEAR.

18:20.233 --> 18:21.700
I THINK THESE PERIODIC JUMPS 

18:21.700 --> 18:25.167
THAT HAD TO BE LEGISLATED GIVE 

18:25.167 --> 18:26.300
BUSINESSES A SHOCK.

18:26.300 --> 18:28.000
I ALSO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, AS

18:28.000 --> 18:29.200
OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID HERE, 

18:29.200 --> 18:30.933
PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING FOR A 

18:30.933 --> 18:32.300
LIVING SHOULD NOT ALSO HAVE TO 

18:32.300 --> 18:34.300
WORK TWO AND THREE JOBS JUST TO

18:34.300 --> 18:36.467
MAKE IT AND SHOULD NOT NEED TO 

18:36.467 --> 18:37.933
RELY ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO 

18:37.933 --> 18:38.967
MAKE IT THROUGH THE WEEK.

18:38.967 --> 18:40.200
>> VERY, VERY INTERESTING POINT

18:40.200 --> 18:40.633
HERE.

18:40.633 --> 18:41.700
MICHAEL, BEFORE WE GO TO BREAK,

18:41.700 --> 18:42.967
I WOULD LIKE TO GET YOUR 

18:42.967 --> 18:43.467
THOUGHTS.

18:43.467 --> 18:44.500
IT WAS INTERESTING THAT MATTHEW

18:44.500 --> 18:45.667
LOOKED AT IT IN TERMS OF 

18:45.667 --> 18:47.433
WHETHER IT IS MORAL OR IMMORAL 

18:47.433 --> 18:49.200
AND HE FALLS ON THE SIDE OF 

18:49.200 --> 18:54.400
ITTING  -- IT BEING AN IMMORAL

18:54.400 --> 18:55.800
THING TO DO.

18:55.800 --> 18:57.433
>> I GUESS AT THIS POINT, A 

18:57.433 --> 18:59.200
MORAL LOOK, I LOOK AT IT AS 

18:59.200 --> 19:00.933
PERHAPS A POLITICAL LOOK.

19:00.933 --> 19:04.767
IN REGARDS TO WHY THE 

19:04.767 --> 19:07.067
MARKETPLACE SHOULD NOT TAKE 

19:07.067 --> 19:10.900
CONTROL OF WHAT THE WAGES THEY 

19:10.900 --> 19:15.167
PAY ARE AND WHY IT NEEDS TO BE 

19:15.167 --> 19:17.933
LEGISLATED AS ERICA BELIEVES, 

19:17.933 --> 19:19.900
IS THERE IS A SET PRICE OR 

19:19.900 --> 19:20.900
BOTTOM-LINE PRICE, IF YOU 

19:20.900 --> 19:21.367
WILL -- 

19:21.367 --> 19:22.400
>> YOU ARE AGAINST RAISING -- 

19:22.400 --> 19:23.267
>> I AM.

19:23.267 --> 19:24.467
I AM.

19:24.467 --> 19:26.567
PREDOMINANTLY FOR THE REASONS 

19:26.567 --> 19:28.400
OF ECONOMICS AND WHEN FOLKS 

19:28.400 --> 19:30.967
LIKE DR. SCOTT AND OTHER 

19:30.967 --> 19:33.333
ECONOMISTS COME OUT AND SAY 

19:33.333 --> 19:34.867
IT'S A BAD IDEA, THEY'RE 

19:34.867 --> 19:35.733
SMARTER THAN I AM.

19:35.733 --> 19:36.433
>> OKAY.

19:36.433 --> 19:37.600
WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE IT RIGHT 

19:37.600 --> 19:38.600
THERE FOR RIGHT NOW.

19:38.600 --> 19:40.067
THAT'S ALL OF THE TIME WE HAVE 

19:40.067 --> 19:41.167
FOR THIS PORTION OF OUR SHOW.

19:41.167 --> 19:42.433
WHEN WE RETURN, WE WILL BE 

19:42.433 --> 19:44.633
JOINED BY A PANEL OF EXPERTS TO

19:44.633 --> 19:46.000
FURTHER EXPLORE LOUISIANA AND 

19:46.000 --> 19:46.867
THE MINIMUM WAGE.

19:46.867 --> 19:48.000
STAY WITH US.

19:48.000 --> 19:56.867
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

19:56.867 --> 19:58.100
>>> WELCOME BACK TO 

19:58.100 --> 19:58.867
"LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE."

19:58.867 --> 20:00.700
TONIGHT WE'RE DISCUSSING 

20:00.700 --> 20:03.333
LOUISIANA AND THE MINIMUM WAGE.

20:03.333 --> 20:05.000
JOINING US NOW IS OUR PANEL 

20:05.000 --> 20:06.367
OF EXPERTS.

20:06.367 --> 20:07.367
STATE REPRESENTATIVE HERBERT 

20:07.367 --> 20:08.400
DIXON HAS BEEN SERVING 

20:08.400 --> 20:09.433
DISTRICT 26, WHICH INCLUDES 

20:09.433 --> 20:13.467
ALEXANDRIA AND PINEVILLE, 

20:13.467 --> 20:15.633
SINCE 2007.

20:15.633 --> 20:17.033
HE CURRENTLY CHAIRS THE 

20:17.033 --> 20:18.600
LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL 

20:18.600 --> 20:19.433
RELATIONS COMMITTEE AND IS 

20:19.433 --> 20:20.300
INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO 

20:20.300 --> 20:21.100
ESTABLISH A STATE MINIMUM 

20:21.100 --> 20:22.033
WAGE.

20:22.033 --> 20:23.200
DR. ROBERT HEBERT IS AN 

20:23.200 --> 20:25.500
ECONOMIST AND EMERITUS 

20:25.500 --> 20:26.567
PROFESSOR OF ENTREPRENEURIAL 

20:26.567 --> 20:27.567
STUDIES AT AUBURN.

20:27.567 --> 20:32.633
A LOUISIANA NATIVE, 

20:32.633 --> 20:33.767
AND THE UNIVERSITY OF 

20:33.767 --> 20:35.000
LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE.

20:35.000 --> 20:36.300
HE IS A FULBRIGHT SENIOR 

20:36.300 --> 20:37.933
RESEARCH SCHOLAR.

20:37.933 --> 20:39.000
DAVID GRAY IS A POLICY 

20:39.000 --> 20:40.033
ANALYST FOR THE LOUISIANA 

20:40.033 --> 20:40.933
BUDGET PROJECT, AN INDEPENDENT 

20:40.933 --> 20:41.900
NONPROFIT THAT STUDIES HOW 

20:41.900 --> 20:42.833
FISCAL ISSUES IMPACT 

20:42.833 --> 20:44.467
LOUISIANA'S LOW AND MODERATE 

20:44.467 --> 20:46.300
INCOME FAMILIES.

20:46.300 --> 20:47.500
HIS MOST RECENT REPORT 

20:47.500 --> 20:48.967
"LOUISIANA NEEDS A HIGHER 

20:48.967 --> 20:50.667
WAGE" EXPLORES THE BENEFITS 

20:50.667 --> 20:51.833
OF ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM 

20:51.833 --> 20:53.667
WAGE IN LOUISIANA.

20:53.667 --> 20:54.867
JIM PATTERSON IS THE VICE 

20:54.867 --> 20:56.333
PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENTAL 

20:56.333 --> 20:57.133
RELATIONS FOR THE LOUISIANA 

20:57.133 --> 21:04.100
ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND 

21:04.100 --> 21:07.667
INDUSTRY, OR LABI.

21:07.667 --> 21:09.200
SO BEFORE WE GO TO OUR 

21:09.200 --> 21:10.600
AUDIENCE, I'M GOING TO FIRST OF

21:10.600 --> 21:12.200
ALL THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING 

21:12.200 --> 21:13.033
HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

21:13.033 --> 21:14.433
A GREAT TOPIC, A GREAT 

21:14.433 --> 21:15.100
AUDIENCE.

21:15.100 --> 21:16.133
I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A 

21:16.133 --> 21:16.967
GREAT DISCUSSION.

21:16.967 --> 21:18.467
BEFORE WE GET TO THE AUDIENCE 

21:18.467 --> 21:19.800
QUESTIONS, LET'S START WITH YOU

21:19.800 --> 21:20.900
ALL BRIEFLY EXPLAINING WHERE 

21:20.900 --> 21:22.400
YOU ARE ON THIS ISSUE.

21:22.400 --> 21:23.433
REPRESENTATIVE DIXON, LET'S 

21:23.433 --> 21:24.200
START WITH YOU.

21:24.200 --> 21:26.233
YOU ARE ACTUALLY PROPOSING 

21:26.233 --> 21:27.200
LEGISLATION DURING THIS SESSION

21:27.200 --> 21:29.000
THAT ADDRESSES THE MINIMUM WAGE

21:29.000 --> 21:29.400
ISSUE.

21:29.400 --> 21:31.233
>> YES, I THINK THE AUDIENCE 

21:31.233 --> 21:33.933
KNOW RIGHT OFF I'M FOR A 

21:33.933 --> 21:34.633
MINIMUM WAGE.

21:34.633 --> 21:36.933
WHAT I TRY TO DO IS PHASE IN 

21:36.933 --> 21:37.600
THE INCREASE.

21:37.600 --> 21:39.800
I THINK SOME OF THE AUDIENCE 

21:39.800 --> 21:41.467
MEMBERS MENTIONED THE PHASE-IN 

21:41.467 --> 21:43.033
MAY BE A BETTER WAY FOR 

21:43.033 --> 21:44.167
BUSINESSES TO COPE WITH THE 

21:44.167 --> 21:47.200
INCREASE OF THE MINIMUM WAGE.

21:47.200 --> 21:48.667
MY BILL IS GOING TO BE 

21:48.667 --> 21:49.800
INTRODUCED THIS SESSION.

21:49.800 --> 21:52.800
AND IT GOES FROM $7.25, TO 

21:52.800 --> 21:54.067
$8.25, NOT THIS YEAR BUT NEXT 

21:54.067 --> 21:56.300
YEAR, AND THEN A DOLLAR ADDED 

21:56.300 --> 21:58.833
ON TOP OF THAT, 75 CENTS ADDED 

21:58.833 --> 22:00.800
ON TOP OF THAT A YEAR LATER TO 

22:00.800 --> 22:01.833
GET IT TO $9.

22:01.833 --> 22:04.033
AND THEN THE CONSUMER PRICE 

22:04.033 --> 22:05.600
INDEX THEN WILL SET THE MINIMUM

22:05.600 --> 22:07.933
WAGE FROM THAT PERIOD ON.

22:07.933 --> 22:09.533
STARTING IN 2017.

22:09.533 --> 22:10.733
>> DR. HEBERT.

22:10.733 --> 22:12.133
>> WELL, SHAUNA, YOU MENTIONED 

22:12.133 --> 22:14.067
IN THE INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 

22:14.067 --> 22:15.867
THAT THERE IS A HISTORY OF 

22:15.867 --> 22:16.867
MINIMUM WAGE LEGISLATION.

22:16.867 --> 22:18.533
WE HAD OUR FIRST MINIMUM WAGE 

22:18.533 --> 22:19.867
SET IN 1938.

22:19.867 --> 22:22.500
AND IT HAS BEEN, AS YOU SAID, 

22:22.500 --> 22:25.067
INCREASED 25 TIMES SINCE THEN.

22:25.067 --> 22:26.767
SO, WE HAVE A HISTORY.

22:26.767 --> 22:28.367
IT SEEMS TO ME WE OUGHT TO USE 

22:28.367 --> 22:30.500
THIS HISTORY, TRY TO USE THIS 

22:30.500 --> 22:32.100
HISTORY IN ORDER TO GAUGE 

22:32.100 --> 22:33.133
WHETHER OR NOT OVER THE 25 

22:33.133 --> 22:34.967
TIMES THAT THE MINIMUM WAGE HAS

22:34.967 --> 22:37.000
INCREASED HOW EFFECTIVE HAS IT 

22:37.000 --> 22:38.800
BEEN IN ALLEVIATING POVERTY.

22:38.800 --> 22:42.367
THE STUDIES THAT I'VE SEEN, 

22:42.367 --> 22:43.733
UNFORTUNATELY, JUST DON'T BEAR 

22:43.733 --> 22:45.767
OUT THE EXPECTATIONS THAT 

22:45.767 --> 22:48.167
PEOPLE HAD FOR PROPOSING A 

22:48.167 --> 22:49.033
MINIMUM WAGE.

22:49.033 --> 22:50.433
EACH AND EVERYONE OF THE 25 

22:50.433 --> 22:53.267
TIMES IT CAME UP FOR 

22:53.267 --> 22:53.800
CONSIDERATION.

22:53.800 --> 22:54.433
WHY IS THAT?

22:54.433 --> 22:56.100
I THINK THERE ARE THREE MAIN 

22:56.100 --> 22:56.633
REASONS.

22:56.633 --> 22:58.200
FIRST YOU HAVE WHAT WE CALL, 

22:58.200 --> 23:00.767
WHAT ECONOMISTS CALL TARGET 

23:00.767 --> 23:01.333
INEFFICIENCY.

23:01.333 --> 23:02.733
THE BENEFITS SIMPLY DON'T GET 

23:02.733 --> 23:04.533
TO THE PEOPLE THEY'RE INTENDED 

23:04.533 --> 23:05.433
TO GO TO.

23:05.433 --> 23:08.233
LESS THAN 12%, ACCORDING TO THE

23:08.233 --> 23:09.367
BACKGROUND INFORMATION, LESS 

23:09.367 --> 23:10.900
THAN 12% OF MINIMUM WAGE 

23:10.900 --> 23:13.333
WORKERS ACTUALLY LIVE IN POOR 

23:13.333 --> 23:14.000
HOUSEHOLDS.

23:14.000 --> 23:15.300
AND CLOSE TO HALF OF MINIMUM 

23:15.300 --> 23:17.933
WAGE WORKERS LIVE IN A 

23:17.933 --> 23:19.967
HOUSEHOLD THAT HAVE THREE TIMES

23:19.967 --> 23:23.333
THE LEVEL, SO-CALLED POVERTY 

23:23.333 --> 23:23.767
LEVEL.

23:23.767 --> 23:24.933
THAT'S BECAUSE IN MANY 

23:24.933 --> 23:26.333
HOUSEHOLDS, YOU HAVE SECOND AND

23:26.333 --> 23:27.467
THIRD WAGE EARNERS.

23:27.467 --> 23:29.367
THESE WAGE EARNERS ARE 

23:29.367 --> 23:30.233
INVARIABLY YOUNG.

23:30.233 --> 23:32.367
IN FACT, ONLY 3% OF MINIMUM 

23:32.367 --> 23:35.667
WAGE EARNERS ARE ABOVE 25 YEARS

23:35.667 --> 23:36.000
OLD.

23:36.000 --> 23:36.833
SECOND CONSIDERATION THAT I 

23:36.833 --> 23:38.300
THINK WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE -- 

23:38.300 --> 23:40.267
>> DR. HEBERT, I WILL LET YOU 

23:40.267 --> 23:41.500
MAKE THAT POINT.

23:41.500 --> 23:43.400
BUT IF WE COULD HAVE THE OTHERS

23:43.400 --> 23:44.900
TO BRIEFLY GIVE THEIR POINT, WE

23:44.900 --> 23:47.333
WILL COME BACK TO YOU.

23:47.333 --> 23:48.000
THANK YOU.

23:48.000 --> 23:51.467
DO YOU TAKE ISSUE WITH WHAT DR.

23:51.467 --> 23:52.467
HEBERT HAS SAID?

23:52.467 --> 23:53.800
>> I THINK DR. HEBERT'S 

23:53.800 --> 23:55.467
COMMENTS ARE MADE FROM ECONOMIC

23:55.467 --> 23:56.667
STUDIES AND THEORIES ARE GOOD.

23:56.667 --> 23:58.333
IF YOU LOOK AT THE REALITY IN 

23:58.333 --> 24:00.600
STATES AND CITIES THAT HAVE 

24:00.600 --> 24:01.600
RAISED THE MINIMUM WAGE, 

24:01.600 --> 24:03.667
PUTTING MORE MONEY IN THE 

24:03.667 --> 24:04.933
RESIDENTS' POCKET, THEY HAVE 

24:04.933 --> 24:07.233
SPENT THE MONEY IN THE LOCAL 

24:07.233 --> 24:08.367
ECONOMIES, SUPPORTED SMALL 

24:08.367 --> 24:09.467
BUSINESSES AND HAVE ALLOWED 

24:09.467 --> 24:11.500
THOSE CITIES AND THOSE STATES 

24:11.500 --> 24:12.867
TO GROW AND INCREASE JOBS.

24:12.867 --> 24:15.500
SO, A LOT OF OUR ANALYSIS AT 

24:15.500 --> 24:17.733
THE LOUISIANA BUDGET PROJECT 

24:17.733 --> 24:20.000
LOOKS AT OUR STATE, NOT 

24:20.000 --> 24:22.000
NATIONALLY, WHAT THE ECONOMIC 

24:22.000 --> 24:23.167
IMPACT OF A MINIMUM WAGE WOULD 

24:23.167 --> 24:24.433
BE IN LOUISIANA.

24:24.433 --> 24:26.700
WE FOUND IF WE RAISE THE 

24:26.700 --> 24:28.267
MINIMUM WAGE TO $10.10 AS YOU 

24:28.267 --> 24:29.900
MENTIONED IN THE OPENING, THAT 

24:29.900 --> 24:31.933
WOULD HELP CLOSE TO 500,000 

24:31.933 --> 24:32.933
EMPLOYEES IN LOUISIANA PUT 

24:32.933 --> 24:33.967
CLOSE TO $700 MILLION IN THE 

24:33.967 --> 24:36.600
STATE ECONOMY AND ULTIMATELY 

24:36.600 --> 24:38.500
PRODUCE 3,300 NEW JOBS AT A 

24:38.500 --> 24:39.967
TIME WHEN LOUISIANA NEEDS MORE 

24:39.967 --> 24:40.333
JOBS.

24:40.333 --> 24:41.733
>> JIM, I WOULD LIKE TO GET 

24:41.733 --> 24:42.367
YOUR COMMENTS.

24:42.367 --> 24:44.167
YOU REPRESENT THOSE EMPLOYERS.

24:44.167 --> 24:45.500
>> YES, WE DO.

24:45.500 --> 24:46.867
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR 

24:46.867 --> 24:48.400
YOUR VIEWERS AND THE FOLKS HERE

24:48.400 --> 24:51.267
IN THE AUDIENCE TO APPRECIATE 

24:51.267 --> 24:54.067
THAT THE KIND OF 

24:54.067 --> 24:55.133
DECISION-MAKING PROCESS THAT 

24:55.133 --> 24:56.167
EMPLOYERS WOULD GO THROUGH IF 

24:56.167 --> 24:58.100
FACED WITH A COST INCREASE IS 

24:58.100 --> 24:59.633
NO DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE THAT 

24:59.633 --> 25:02.567
THEY MAKE AS -- AS CONSUMERS.

25:02.567 --> 25:04.333
IF, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU GO AND YOU

25:04.333 --> 25:07.700
BUY A CUP OF COFFEE, AS YOU GO 

25:07.700 --> 25:09.167
TO WORK IN THE MORNING.

25:09.167 --> 25:10.533
LET'S SAY THE GOVERNMENT 

25:10.533 --> 25:12.533
DECIDES TO RAISE THE PRICE ON 

25:12.533 --> 25:14.400
THAT COFFEE TO A DOLLAR MORE.

25:14.400 --> 25:15.767
NOW YOU HAVE A DECISION TO 

25:15.767 --> 25:16.300
MAKE.

25:16.300 --> 25:18.733
PERHAPS YOU CAN GO TO YOUR 

25:18.733 --> 25:22.267
PLAYER -- EMPLOYER AND GET THE 

25:22.267 --> 25:23.533
EMPLOYER TO UNDERWRITE THAT 

25:23.533 --> 25:24.600
COST WITH A RAISE.

25:24.600 --> 25:26.533
WE ARE TALKING LIKE $5 A WEEK 

25:26.533 --> 25:29.900
AND SOMETHING CLOSE TO $250 A 

25:29.900 --> 25:30.367
YEAR.

25:30.367 --> 25:31.233
IF THE EMPLOYER SAYS NO, THEN 

25:31.233 --> 25:32.433
YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT ANOTHER 

25:32.433 --> 25:33.700
WAY OF DEALING WITH THAT.

25:33.700 --> 25:35.767
AND YOU MIGHT DECIDE, WELL, 

25:35.767 --> 25:37.967
I'LL FORGO THAT CUP OF COFFEE.

25:37.967 --> 25:43.600
MAYBE YOU ARE USED TO GETTING A

25:43.600 --> 25:47.767
DANISH WITH THAT COFFEE.

25:47.767 --> 25:48.933
EMPLOYERS ARE GOING TO GO 

25:48.933 --> 25:51.867
THROUGH THE SAME KIND OF 

25:51.867 --> 25:53.133
DECISION-MAKING PROCESS WHERE 

25:53.133 --> 25:55.033
IT REGARDS THEIR WORKERS IF 

25:55.033 --> 25:56.800
MADE TO PAY CLOSE TO $3 AN HOUR

25:56.800 --> 25:58.100
MORE FOR THEIR WORKERS.

25:58.100 --> 25:59.667
>> LET'S GET SOME REACTION FROM

25:59.667 --> 26:00.800
OUR AUDIENCE MEMBERS AND 

26:00.800 --> 26:01.367
QUESTIONS.

26:01.367 --> 26:02.500
I KNOW THAT YOU ALL HAVE A LOT 

26:02.500 --> 26:04.000
OF QUESTIONS FOR OUR GUESTS.

26:04.000 --> 26:05.900
LET'S START WITH YOU.

26:05.900 --> 26:08.233
>> MY QUESTION IS, IF AUSTRALIA

26:08.233 --> 26:10.767
HAS A MINIMUM WAGE AT $15 AN 

26:10.767 --> 26:13.167
HOUR AND THEY HAVE AN 

26:13.167 --> 26:14.767
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE LOWER THAN 

26:14.767 --> 26:17.467
OURS, 5.6% AS OF LAST AUGUST.

26:17.467 --> 26:18.933
WHY IS IT SO CONTROVERSIAL FOR 

26:18.933 --> 26:20.233
US TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE 

26:20.233 --> 26:21.667
WHEN CLEARLY THEIR ECONOMY IS 

26:21.667 --> 26:22.467
DOING BETTER?

26:22.467 --> 26:24.700
>> I THINK YOU BRING A GOOD 

26:24.700 --> 26:25.467
POINT.

26:25.467 --> 26:28.333
CITIES AND STATES THAT HAVE 

26:28.333 --> 26:29.800
RAISED THE MINIMUM WAGE, AND 

26:29.800 --> 26:31.133
THAT HAVE MINIMUM WAGES HIGHER 

26:31.133 --> 26:33.667
THAN THE FEDERAL LEVEL, YOU 

26:33.667 --> 26:35.100
DON'T SEE MASSIVE UNEMPLOYMENT.

26:35.100 --> 26:37.200
YOU DON'T SEE MASS LAYOFFS IN 

26:37.200 --> 26:38.000
SMALL BUSINESSES.

26:38.000 --> 26:39.000
THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

26:39.000 --> 26:40.267
THE REASON THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN,

26:40.267 --> 26:41.733
WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE PAID MORE, 

26:41.733 --> 26:43.133
THEY'RE MORE MOTIVATED TO WORK,

26:43.133 --> 26:44.567
WHICH MEANS BUSINESSES ARE NOT 

26:44.567 --> 26:46.233
SPENDING MONEY TO GO OUT AND 

26:46.233 --> 26:49.967
FIND NEW EMPLOYEES, TRAIN NEW 

26:49.967 --> 26:51.767
EMPLOYEES, PUT OUT 

26:51.767 --> 26:52.267
ADVERTISEMENTS.

26:52.267 --> 26:53.233
THAT IS A SAVINGS.

26:53.233 --> 26:55.000
WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE 

26:55.000 --> 26:57.900
INCREASED COST OF PAYROLL, BUT 

26:57.900 --> 26:59.667
YOU DON'T HEAR TALK ABOUT 

26:59.667 --> 27:03.400
SAVINGS FROM REDUCED TURNOVERS 

27:03.400 --> 27:05.967
AND INCREASED EFFICIEEFFICIENCIES.

27:05.967 --> 27:07.733
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR AUSTRALIA'S 

27:07.733 --> 27:08.933
ECONOMY, BUT THAT IS WHAT HAS 

27:08.933 --> 27:10.167
HAPPENED IN OTHER STATES AND IT

27:10.167 --> 27:11.400
IS TIME FOR LOUISIANA TO GET ON

27:11.400 --> 27:13.433
THE SAME COURSE.

27:13.433 --> 27:15.200
>> SCOTT AND JOHN, DOES THAT 

27:15.200 --> 27:16.733
GEL WITH WHAT YOU ARE 

27:16.733 --> 27:19.100
EXPERIENCING WITH YOUR 

27:19.100 --> 27:19.533
BUSINESSES?

27:19.533 --> 27:22.467
>> FOR EXAMPLE, WE RECENTLY RAN

27:22.467 --> 27:24.467
ADS IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS LOOKING

27:24.467 --> 27:26.400
FOR EMPLOYEES.

27:26.400 --> 27:27.667
AND WE ACTUALLY RECEIVED -- YOU

27:27.667 --> 27:32.500
HAVE WHAT, 32, 33,000 -- TWO 

27:32.500 --> 27:33.433
PHONE CALLS?

27:33.433 --> 27:34.833
SO, MY QUESTION IS, HOW MANY 

27:34.833 --> 27:36.300
PEOPLE ACTUALLY OUT THERE 

27:36.300 --> 27:37.300
LOOKING FOR JOBS.

27:37.300 --> 27:39.133
>> WELL, WHAT ABOUT YOUR 

27:39.133 --> 27:39.667
EXPERIENCE?

27:39.667 --> 27:40.833
WHAT ABOUT WHAT HE SAID IN 

27:40.833 --> 27:41.767
TERMS OF TURNOVER?

27:41.767 --> 27:44.200
IF YOU PAY WORKERS MORE, ARE 

27:44.200 --> 27:45.400
THEY MORE PRODUCTIVE?

27:45.400 --> 27:46.800
DO THEY STAY LONGER?

27:46.800 --> 27:48.400
DO YOU GET BETTER WORK OUT OF 

27:48.400 --> 27:48.767
THEM?

27:48.767 --> 27:50.400
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

27:50.400 --> 27:51.700
BECAUSE YOU DO PAY MORE THAN 

27:51.700 --> 27:52.500
THE MINIMUM WAGE.

27:52.500 --> 27:54.400
FIRST OF ALL, WHY DO YOU DO 

27:54.400 --> 27:54.767
THAT?

27:54.767 --> 27:56.100
>> WE A SPECIALTY COMPANY.

27:56.100 --> 27:58.333
AS A SPORTING GOODS STORE 

27:58.333 --> 28:00.333
OWNER, WE ARE A UNIQUE 

28:00.333 --> 28:00.867
BUSINESS.

28:00.867 --> 28:04.733
WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO HAVE UNIQUE

28:04.733 --> 28:05.333
PERSONNEL.

28:05.333 --> 28:06.867
I HATE TO USE THE WORD, BUT 

28:06.867 --> 28:08.100
WE'RE NOT THE AVERAGE GAS 

28:08.100 --> 28:09.167
STATION, SO TO SPEAK.

28:09.167 --> 28:10.833
WE ACTUALLY HAVE UNIQUE 

28:10.833 --> 28:12.067
PRODUCTS IN IT.

28:12.067 --> 28:13.367
LOOKING FOR THAT PERSON WHO IS 

28:13.367 --> 28:15.733
WILLING TO TAKE ON THAT 

28:15.733 --> 28:16.833
RESPONSIBILITY IS SOMEWHAT 

28:16.833 --> 28:17.767
DIFFICULT TO FIND.

28:17.767 --> 28:19.367
SO, THEREFORE, WHEN WE DO FIND 

28:19.367 --> 28:21.633
THEM, WE DO PAY A LITTLE MORE 

28:21.633 --> 28:23.167
THAN THE MINIMUM WAGE.

28:23.167 --> 28:25.333
MY SITUATION, AS A BUSINESS 

28:25.333 --> 28:26.900
OWNER, BEING TOLD OR BEING 

28:26.900 --> 28:29.467
FORCED TO DO SOMETHING 

28:29.467 --> 28:30.533
SPECIFICALLY JUST GOES AGAINST 

28:30.533 --> 28:31.800
EVERYTHING THAT I'M FOR.

28:31.800 --> 28:33.800
GIVE ME THAT OPPORTUNITY, IF I 

28:33.800 --> 28:35.633
WANT TO RAISE THAT PERSON'S 

28:35.633 --> 28:37.633
SALARY, BUT DON'T FORCE IT ON 

28:37.633 --> 28:37.967
ME.

28:37.967 --> 28:39.033
>> DR. HEBERT I WOULD LIKE TO 

28:39.033 --> 28:39.900
BRING YOU IN ON THIS.

28:39.900 --> 28:41.100
>> ONE THING YOU HAVE TO 

28:41.100 --> 28:42.167
REALIZE, THE PEOPLE IN THE 

28:42.167 --> 28:44.000
MINIMUM WAGE CATEGORY ARE IN A 

28:44.000 --> 28:45.833
FLUID SITUATION FOR THE MOST 

28:45.833 --> 28:46.233
PART.

28:46.233 --> 28:47.633
PEOPLE DON'T STAY IN THERE ALL 

28:47.633 --> 28:48.900
OF THEIR WORKING LIVES.

28:48.900 --> 28:52.333
IN FACT, YOU NEED TO HAVE THE 

28:52.333 --> 28:53.967
UNSKILLED AND THE YOUNG, WHICH 

28:53.967 --> 28:55.633
IS WHERE THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES

28:55.633 --> 28:59.167
ARE EXCESSIVELY HIGH, 16-24 AGE

28:59.167 --> 29:00.400
GROUP, UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN 

29:00.400 --> 29:03.467
THIS COUNTRY IS 16%.

29:03.467 --> 29:04.933
AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN YOUNG 

29:04.933 --> 29:06.600
PEOPLE IN THE SAME AGE GROUP, 

29:06.600 --> 29:07.633
IT IS 38%.

29:07.633 --> 29:09.400
I THINK THAT IS A SHOCKING 

29:09.400 --> 29:10.467
STATISTIC THAT PEOPLE DON'T 

29:10.467 --> 29:11.167
TALK ABOUT.

29:11.167 --> 29:15.333
WHAT IS HAPPENING IS WE'RE 

29:15.333 --> 29:17.033
THROTTLING DOWN, KEEPING, 

29:17.033 --> 29:19.667
DELAYING, IN SOME CASES E

29:19.667 --> 29:22.800
ELIMINAING THE LIFETIME 

29:22.800 --> 29:25.067
EARNING TRAJECTORY OF YOUNG 

29:25.067 --> 29:26.400
WORKERS WHO NEED TO GET THE ON 

29:26.400 --> 29:29.133
THE JOB EXPERIENCE, THE SKILLS,

29:29.133 --> 29:31.367
LEARNING, SO FORTH, TO LIFT 

29:31.367 --> 29:32.700
THEMSELVES UP AND GET HIGHER 

29:32.700 --> 29:33.933
WAGES AND GET OUT OF THE 

29:33.933 --> 29:35.167
MINIMUM WAGE CATEGORY AND 

29:35.167 --> 29:36.500
INCREASE THEIR LIFETIME 

29:36.500 --> 29:36.933
EARNINGS.

29:36.933 --> 29:39.733
>> IF I MAY, TO RESPOND TO 

29:39.733 --> 29:41.067
JOSHUA'S QUESTION REGARDING 

29:41.067 --> 29:42.300
AUSTRALIA, I HAD A CONVERSATION

29:42.300 --> 29:44.567
WITH A YOUNG LADY WHO HAD SPENT

29:44.567 --> 29:45.900
SOME TIME IN AUSTRALIA.

29:45.900 --> 29:48.600
AND ONE OF THE POINTS THAT SHE 

29:48.600 --> 29:50.567
MADE WAS, YES, THEY DO PAY 

29:50.567 --> 29:52.933
HIGHER WAGES THERE, BUT THE 

29:52.933 --> 29:54.400
COST OF LIVING IS SUCH THAT YOU

29:54.400 --> 29:55.800
DON'T WANT TO LIVE THERE.

29:55.800 --> 29:58.733
AND, SO SHE FOUND A WAY TO LIVE

29:58.733 --> 30:00.467
AS FRUGALLY AS SHE COULD 

30:00.467 --> 30:01.667
MANAGE, MAKE THE AMOUNT OF 

30:01.667 --> 30:03.100
MONEY THAT SHE WAS MAKING THERE

30:03.100 --> 30:05.067
AND GET BACK HERE AS QUICK AS 

30:05.067 --> 30:06.400
SHE CAN.

30:06.400 --> 30:08.400
AND I THINK IT IS MISUNDERSTOOD

30:08.400 --> 30:09.867
IN THE STATES WHERE YOU HAVE, 

30:09.867 --> 30:11.733
IN FACT, HIGHER MINIMUM WAGES, 

30:11.733 --> 30:13.567
YOU'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO HAVE A

30:13.567 --> 30:15.133
HIGHER COST OF LIVING, WHICH 

30:15.133 --> 30:18.267
WILL DIMINISH THE BENEFIT THAT 

30:18.267 --> 30:20.067
IS BEING SOUGHT BY THOSE THAT 

30:20.067 --> 30:23.033
WOULD PROPOSE DOING A MINIMUM 

30:23.033 --> 30:24.167
WAGE -- DOING A MINIMUM WAGE, 

30:24.167 --> 30:25.233
AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM 

30:25.233 --> 30:25.667
WAGE.

30:25.667 --> 30:28.300
>> I HAVE TO RESPOND TO SCOTT'S

30:28.300 --> 30:29.567
ORIGINAL QUESTION, WHERE ARE 

30:29.567 --> 30:30.967
THE JOB APPLICANTS.

30:30.967 --> 30:34.700
A CITY IN OREGON, SEA-TRAC, 

30:34.700 --> 30:37.600
RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $15

30:37.600 --> 30:38.133
AN HOUR.

30:38.133 --> 30:39.567
THE SECOND THAT LAW TOOK 

30:39.567 --> 30:42.900
EFFECT, IT WAS FLOODED WITH JOB

30:42.900 --> 30:43.433
APPLICANTS.

30:43.433 --> 30:44.500
YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT DRIVE FROM

30:44.500 --> 30:46.833
THE STATE OF IDAHO TO THE STATE

30:46.833 --> 30:48.300
OF WASHINGTON TO GO TO WORK.

30:48.300 --> 30:49.867
BUSINESS OWNERS ALONG THE 

30:49.867 --> 30:51.867
BORDER OF WASHINGTON FLOODED 

30:51.867 --> 30:53.167
EVERY DAY WITH JOB 

30:53.167 --> 30:54.100
APPLICATIONS.

30:54.100 --> 30:56.367
PEOPLE DO APPLY.

30:56.367 --> 30:57.500
TEENAGERS, TEENAGE EMPLOYMENT.

30:57.500 --> 30:58.967
AS DR. HEBERT SAID, THE 

30:58.967 --> 31:00.267
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR TEENAGERS

31:00.267 --> 31:02.333
AND YOUNG ADULTS IN AMERICA IS 

31:02.333 --> 31:02.667
16%.

31:02.667 --> 31:04.200
IN LOUISIANA, I THINK IT IS 

31:04.200 --> 31:06.533
CLOSER TO 25%.

31:06.533 --> 31:08.067
THE STATE OF VERMONT, SECOND 

31:08.067 --> 31:09.200
HIGHEST STATE MINIMUM WAGE IN 

31:09.200 --> 31:10.000
THE NATION.

31:10.000 --> 31:11.900
THEIR TEENAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

31:11.900 --> 31:13.400
HAVE ONLY 14%.

31:13.400 --> 31:14.733
IF YOU LOOK AT OTHER STATES 

31:14.733 --> 31:16.300
THAT HAVE RAISED THE MINIMUM 

31:16.300 --> 31:17.533
WAGE, THEY HAVE EFFECTIVELY 

31:17.533 --> 31:19.100
FOUND A WAY TO INCREASE 

31:19.100 --> 31:20.600
CONSUMER SPENDING, ESPECIALLY 

31:20.600 --> 31:22.900
IN SMALL BUSINESSES, GROW THE 

31:22.900 --> 31:24.433
ECONOMY, AND CREATE JOBS.

31:24.433 --> 31:28.000
AND I THINK THAT IS A POINT 

31:28.000 --> 31:30.067
WORTH REPEATING CONSTANTLY.

31:30.067 --> 31:33.533
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT EXEMPTIONS,

31:33.533 --> 31:35.200
UNDER THE CURRENT FEDERAL 

31:35.200 --> 31:36.500
MINIMUM WAGE, THERE ARE SOME 

31:36.500 --> 31:37.300
EXEMPTIONS IN THERE.

31:37.300 --> 31:38.733
I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO ADDRESS

31:38.733 --> 31:40.267
THIS AND ADDRESS IT 

31:40.267 --> 31:41.567
SPECIFICALLY AS IT RELATES TO 

31:41.567 --> 31:43.267
YOUR BILL, BECAUSE YOUR BILL --

31:43.267 --> 31:44.967
>> TOUCHES ON WHAT I SAID 

31:44.967 --> 31:45.400
EARLIER.

31:45.400 --> 31:47.500
A PHASE-IN OF THE MINIMUM WAGE.

31:47.500 --> 31:50.267
THE REQUIREMENT OF THE NATIONAL

31:50.267 --> 31:52.367
GOVERNMENT, UNITED STATES 

31:52.367 --> 31:53.267
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WAGE AND 

31:53.267 --> 31:55.367
HOUR DIVISION, IT GIVES 

31:55.367 --> 31:57.200
EMPLOYEES -- EMPLOYERS THE 

31:57.200 --> 31:58.900
OPPORTUNITY TO HIRE YOUNG FOLKS

31:58.900 --> 32:00.833
AND HAVE THOSE YOUNG FOLKS 

32:00.833 --> 32:03.467
SERVE AT A LOWER RATE THAN THE 

32:03.467 --> 32:04.933
CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE FOR 

32:04.933 --> 32:07.567
SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME.

32:07.567 --> 32:10.133
IT ALSO GIVES OTHER 

32:10.133 --> 32:11.233
CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYERS TO 

32:11.233 --> 32:12.333
HIRE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY HAVE 

32:12.333 --> 32:15.533
SOME DISABILITIES TO WORK AT A 

32:15.533 --> 32:17.733
LOWER MINIMUM WAGE RATE.

32:17.733 --> 32:19.333
SO, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR

32:19.333 --> 32:22.367
EMPLOYERS NOT TO BE CAPTIVATED 

32:22.367 --> 32:24.000
BY THIS SLOW RISE OF THE 

32:24.000 --> 32:26.433
MINIMUM WAGE THAT I'M PROPOSING

32:26.433 --> 32:28.133
AND GETTING READY FOR AN 

32:28.133 --> 32:29.200
INCREASE, BUT THERE ARE 

32:29.200 --> 32:30.133
OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST RIGHT 

32:30.133 --> 32:32.267
NOW AND THIS WILL BE -- NOTHING

32:32.267 --> 32:34.300
TO INFRINGE ON THOSE EMPLOYER 

32:34.300 --> 32:35.933
RIGHTS TO HIRE YOUNG FOLKS AND 

32:35.933 --> 32:38.267
GIVE THEM THOSE WORK 

32:38.267 --> 32:39.333
EXPERIENCES THAT WAS MENTIONED 

32:39.333 --> 32:40.033
HERE EARLIER.

32:40.033 --> 32:41.400
>> IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS SOME

32:41.400 --> 32:42.400
FLEXIBILITY IN THERE.

32:42.400 --> 32:43.900
IT GETS BACK TO SCOTT'S POINT 

32:43.900 --> 32:47.267
THAT HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE TOLD

32:47.267 --> 32:51.500
HOW MUCH HE HAS TO RAISE THE 

32:51.500 --> 32:52.400
WAGE LEVEL.

32:52.400 --> 32:55.200
>> WELL, THAT'S ADMIRABLE.

32:55.200 --> 32:57.600
BUT I'M SURE SCOTT HAS TOLD 

32:57.600 --> 33:00.667
APRIL 15th, HE BETTER HAVE HIS 

33:00.667 --> 33:02.833
INCOME TAXES IN BUT HE PROBABLY

33:02.833 --> 33:03.867
DOESN'T LIKE THAT EITHER.

33:03.867 --> 33:06.200
AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THEM IN 

33:06.200 --> 33:08.067
BY SEPTEMBER, SCOTT WILL GO 

33:08.067 --> 33:10.167
SOMEWHERE THAT PROVIDES FOR 

33:10.167 --> 33:11.200
INDIVIDUALS THAT FEEL LIKE 

33:11.200 --> 33:12.700
THEY -- THAT SOUNDS GOOD, BUT 

33:12.700 --> 33:15.167
WE ARE TOLD EVERY DAY IN SOME 

33:15.167 --> 33:16.900
FORM OR OTHER, THAT'S WHY WE'RE

33:16.900 --> 33:18.333
IN THE LEGISLATURE NOW.

33:18.333 --> 33:20.733
WE'RE MAKING LAWS THAT IS 

33:20.733 --> 33:21.967
TELLING INDIVIDUALS HERE IS HOW

33:21.967 --> 33:22.633
CERTAIN THINGS WILL WORK.

33:22.633 --> 33:23.900
>> WE WILL GET TO YOUR QUESTION

33:23.900 --> 33:25.167
IN JUST A MOMENT.

33:25.167 --> 33:27.100
LET'S HEAR FROM JOHN, ANOTHER 

33:27.100 --> 33:28.100
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

33:28.100 --> 33:29.733
>> I THINK THAT'S AN EXCELLENT 

33:29.733 --> 33:30.167
POINT.

33:30.167 --> 33:31.300
I THINK WE'RE TOLD ENOUGH.

33:31.300 --> 33:32.967
WE GET TOLD SO MUCH.

33:32.967 --> 33:34.067
AND THE MORE THE GOVERNMENT 

33:34.067 --> 33:35.133
GETS INVOLVED IN MY BUSINESS, 

33:35.133 --> 33:36.400
THE MORE I WANT TO GET OUT OF 

33:36.400 --> 33:37.533
BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

33:37.533 --> 33:40.267
YOU ARE TAKING IT OUT OF OUR 

33:40.267 --> 33:44.100
HEART TO BE THE MASTERS OF OUR 

33:44.100 --> 33:45.767
OWN DESTINY.

33:45.767 --> 33:48.167
WHAT IS IN HEART OF SOME OF MY 

33:48.167 --> 33:49.367
EMPLOYEES IS NOT MONEY.

33:49.367 --> 33:51.067
YOU SAY IF YOU PAY PEOPLE A 

33:51.067 --> 33:53.067
COUPLE OF EXTRA BUCKS THAT WILL

33:53.067 --> 33:55.833
BE MOTIVATED TO WORK HARD.

33:55.833 --> 33:57.067
THAT -- SOME PEOPLE AREN'T 

33:57.067 --> 33:58.467
MOTIVATED BY MONEY.

33:58.467 --> 34:00.533
THEY'RE MOTIVATED BY A QUALITY 

34:00.533 --> 34:02.333
OPPORTUNITY TO GROW THEIR 

34:02.333 --> 34:04.000
CAREER.

34:04.000 --> 34:06.867
YES, SOME ARE JUST MOTIVATED BY

34:06.867 --> 34:07.633
THE BUCKS.

34:07.633 --> 34:09.400
WHEN YOU SAY YOU'RE TOLD THIS, 

34:09.400 --> 34:13.133
AND YOU NEED TO BE TOLD MORE, 

34:13.133 --> 34:18.000
THAT KIND OF GETS THE IRE UP OF

34:18.000 --> 34:21.000
A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

34:21.000 --> 34:24.667
>> IT SHOULDN'T.

34:24.667 --> 34:26.167
DEMOCRACY, THE RIGHT TO VOTE TO

34:26.167 --> 34:27.633
PUT IN INDIVIDUALS THAT THINK 

34:27.633 --> 34:28.733
THE WAY YOU THINK OR THE WAY 

34:28.733 --> 34:29.500
THAT I THINK.

34:29.500 --> 34:30.900
AS WE'RE BEING TOLD, WE'RE 

34:30.900 --> 34:34.433
LIVING BY A SET OF RULES THAT 

34:34.433 --> 34:36.133
HAVE BEEN -- OVER 200 YEARS 

34:36.133 --> 34:39.333
THAT WE LIVE BY, AND WE ARE NOT

34:39.333 --> 34:40.800
THE FIRST SET OF CITIZENS IN 

34:40.800 --> 34:42.200
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

34:42.200 --> 34:43.267
THAT HAVE BEEN TOLD THINGS.

34:43.267 --> 34:45.300
I GRANT YOU, THERE IS A LOT OF 

34:45.300 --> 34:46.433
THINGS THAT STATE GOVERNMENT 

34:46.433 --> 34:47.533
AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAY TO 

34:47.533 --> 34:49.733
ME THAT EXCITES ME THAT I MAY 

34:49.733 --> 34:51.200
NOT WANT TO HEAR, BUT YOU TAKE 

34:51.200 --> 34:53.833
SOME OF THE GOOD WITH SOME OF 

34:53.833 --> 34:54.433
THE BAD.

34:54.433 --> 34:56.067
AND STILL WE'RE IN THE GREATEST

34:56.067 --> 34:57.033
COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

34:57.033 --> 34:59.000
>> LET'S HEAR FROM A YOUNG MAN,

34:59.000 --> 35:00.733
CHRISTIAN, WHO IS IN HIGH 

35:00.733 --> 35:02.167
SCHOOL AND YOU HAVE A JOB.

35:02.167 --> 35:03.733
BUT IT IS NOT A MINIMUM WAGE 

35:03.733 --> 35:04.400
JOB, RIGHT?

35:04.400 --> 35:07.000
>> NO, IT IS AT $10 AN HOUR.

35:07.000 --> 35:09.267
>> YOU SAID ALL OF THE JOBS -- 

35:09.267 --> 35:11.000
>> I HAVE ONLY WORKED AT THIS 

35:11.000 --> 35:11.633
ONE PLACE.

35:11.633 --> 35:13.033
THEY DIDN'T START ME AT MINIMUM

35:13.033 --> 35:13.433
WAGE.

35:13.433 --> 35:14.100
>> OKAY.

35:14.100 --> 35:16.133
STARTED YOU OUT AT $10 -- 

35:16.133 --> 35:17.600
>> NO, $8 AN HOUR.

35:17.600 --> 35:19.000
I HAVE TWO THINGS TO SAY.

35:19.000 --> 35:22.533
ONE ABOUT THE MOTIVATION OF 

35:22.533 --> 35:23.967
MONEY IN THE WORKPLACE.

35:23.967 --> 35:25.633
NO, I DON'T THINK ALL PEOPLE 

35:25.633 --> 35:27.933
ARE MOTIVATED SOLELY BY MONEY 

35:27.933 --> 35:28.600
TO DO WELL.

35:28.600 --> 35:29.833
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO 

35:29.833 --> 35:31.933
ARE TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING AND

35:31.933 --> 35:35.533
TRYING TO PROVIDE FOR 

35:35.533 --> 35:36.700
THEMSELVES, TRYING TO HAVE FOOD

35:36.700 --> 35:38.000
TO EAT NEXT WEEK AND TRYING TO 

35:38.000 --> 35:40.467
HAVE A ROOF OVER THEIR HOUSE --

35:40.467 --> 35:42.200
A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD, SORRY.

35:42.200 --> 35:44.000
THEY WILL BE MOTIVATED MORE BY 

35:44.000 --> 35:45.533
MONEY BECAUSE THEY DO NEED A 

35:45.533 --> 35:48.500
PLACE TO LIVE AND THEY NEED THE

35:48.500 --> 35:49.700
NECESSITIES OF LIFE.

35:49.700 --> 35:51.267
I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR 

35:51.267 --> 35:51.767
BILL.

35:51.767 --> 35:54.933
YOU SAID THAT IT HAS LIKE A 

35:54.933 --> 35:56.400
STIPULATION FOR YOUNGER 

35:56.400 --> 35:58.200
WORKERS, THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE 

35:58.200 --> 35:59.367
TO BE PAID -- 

35:59.367 --> 36:03.233
>> NO, MY BILL DOESN'T INFRINGE

36:03.233 --> 36:04.900
UPON THE CURRENT FEDERAL WAGE 

36:04.900 --> 36:06.367
AND HOUR DIVISION OF THE 

36:06.367 --> 36:08.233
DEPARTMENT -- U.S. DEPARTMENT 

36:08.233 --> 36:09.700
OF LABOR, WHICH GIVES 

36:09.700 --> 36:12.267
OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG FOLKS TO 

36:12.267 --> 36:13.600
WORK RIGHT NOW WITH EMPLOYERS 

36:13.600 --> 36:15.933
AS TEENAGERS FOR LOWER THAN THE

36:15.933 --> 36:17.433
MINIMUM WAGE FOR A SPECIFIED 

36:17.433 --> 36:20.100
PERIOD OF TIME.

36:20.100 --> 36:22.733
AND IT ALSO MAKES PROVISIONS 

36:22.733 --> 36:25.033
FOR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS THAT 

36:25.033 --> 36:27.533
CAN WORK BELOW THE MINIMUM WAGE

36:27.533 --> 36:28.733
IN CERTAIN FIELDS.

36:28.733 --> 36:31.867
SO, THAT EXISTS -- MY IDEA 

36:31.867 --> 36:33.367
DOESN'T INFRINGE OR TOUCH ON 

36:33.367 --> 36:34.667
ANY OF THOSE SUBJECTS.

36:34.667 --> 36:37.867
>> HOW LONG A TIME IS THAT?

36:37.867 --> 36:40.267
>> FOR ONLY -- I THINK 90 DAYS.

36:40.267 --> 36:41.067
FOR THREE MONTHS.

36:41.067 --> 36:42.867
>> OKAY.

36:42.867 --> 36:45.867
>> AND THEY CAN'T BACKPACK 

36:45.867 --> 36:47.233
INDIVIDUALS INTO THOSE JOBS.

36:47.233 --> 36:49.567
IT IS TRULY THERE FOR TEENAGERS

36:49.567 --> 36:51.433
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, GAIN 

36:51.433 --> 36:52.600
EXPERIENCE, AND THEN THOSE 

36:52.600 --> 36:53.400
INDIVIDUALS START TO MAKE THE 

36:53.400 --> 36:53.967
MINIMUM WAGE.

36:53.967 --> 36:55.667
>> GOSH, WE HAVE A LOT OF 

36:55.667 --> 36:56.200
QUESTIONS.

36:56.200 --> 36:58.500
IF I COULD GET YOUR COMMENT ON 

36:58.500 --> 37:00.133
DR. LOREN SCOTT IN THE PIECE 

37:00.133 --> 37:01.600
THERE, THE ECONOMIST, WHO 

37:01.600 --> 37:03.000
TALKED ABOUT THE EARNED INCOME 

37:03.000 --> 37:04.500
TAX CREDIT THAT THAT WOULD BE 

37:04.500 --> 37:05.833
MORE VIABLE THAN RAISING THE 

37:05.833 --> 37:06.467
MINIMUM WAGE.

37:06.467 --> 37:07.233
YES, DR. HEBERT.

37:07.233 --> 37:10.533
>> THE THING YOU HAVE TO KEEP 

37:10.533 --> 37:12.867
IN MIND IS THAT THIS ISSUE 

37:12.867 --> 37:14.367
ABOUT RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE 

37:14.367 --> 37:15.900
WILL CAUSE MORE SPENDING.

37:15.900 --> 37:17.133
ANY TIME PEOPLE GET AN INCREASE

37:17.133 --> 37:18.900
IN MONEY, THEY WILL SPEND MORE.

37:18.900 --> 37:20.467
THE POINT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO 

37:20.467 --> 37:23.033
MAKE IS THAT THERE ARE WAYS OF 

37:23.033 --> 37:24.700
INCREASING SPENDING, RAISING 

37:24.700 --> 37:26.567
HOUSEHOLD INCOME, AND BY THE 

37:26.567 --> 37:28.067
WAY, IT IS HOUSEHOLD INCOME 

37:28.067 --> 37:29.367
THAT IS IMPORTANT IN THE FIGHT 

37:29.367 --> 37:30.300
AGAINST POVERTY.

37:30.300 --> 37:32.000
IT IS NOT AN INDIVIDUAL WAGE.

37:32.000 --> 37:35.300
IT IS HOUSEHOLD INCOME.

37:35.300 --> 37:36.533
THERE ARE WAYS TO DO THAT 

37:36.533 --> 37:38.100
WITHOUT THE DOWNSIDE OF THE 

37:38.100 --> 37:38.800
MINIMUM WAGE.

37:38.800 --> 37:39.667
MINIMUM WAGE HAS THREE DOWN 

37:39.667 --> 37:40.533
SIDES AS I SEE IT.

37:40.533 --> 37:44.267
IT MISSES THE TARGET, CAUSES 

37:44.267 --> 37:45.800
UNEMPLOYMENT EFFECTS, GOOD AND 

37:45.800 --> 37:48.367
BAD, AND WE CAN DEBATE ALL 

37:48.367 --> 37:50.800
NIGHT LONG ABOUT WHICH ONE 

37:50.800 --> 37:51.700
PREDOMINATES, BUT THE NET 

37:51.700 --> 37:52.967
EFFECT, IT IS FIGHTING AGAINST 

37:52.967 --> 37:54.100
ITSELF TO SOME EXTENT.

37:54.100 --> 37:55.333
SOME PEOPLE LOSE THEIR JOBS AND

37:55.333 --> 37:56.133
OTHER PEOPLE GAIN.

37:56.133 --> 37:57.967
AND THE THIRD THING IT DEPRIVES

37:57.967 --> 37:59.733
YOUNG PEOPLE OF ESTABLISHING 

37:59.733 --> 38:02.833
THE SKILLS, OR AT LEAST DELAYS 

38:02.833 --> 38:04.067
THEIR ESTABLISHING SKILLS THAT 

38:04.067 --> 38:05.900
THEY NEED TO BUILD THE LIFETIME

38:05.900 --> 38:06.400
PROFILE.

38:06.400 --> 38:08.033
THE THING ABOUT THE EARNED 

38:08.033 --> 38:09.733
INCOME TAX CREDIT IT PUTS MONEY

38:09.733 --> 38:11.333
INTO THE HOUSEHOLD WITHOUT ANY 

38:11.333 --> 38:12.567
OF THE DOWN SIDES.

38:12.567 --> 38:14.500
>> IT IS WIN-WIN AS YOU SEE IT.

38:14.500 --> 38:16.433
>> WELL, YOU STILL HAVE TO FUND

38:16.433 --> 38:17.000
IT.

38:17.000 --> 38:17.433
OKAY.

38:17.433 --> 38:19.267
TAXPAYERS PAY FOR IT.

38:19.267 --> 38:21.967
TAXPAYERS PAY FOR EVERYTHING.

38:21.967 --> 38:23.333
>> I THINK IT -- FIRST OF ALL, 

38:23.333 --> 38:25.433
I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT 

38:25.433 --> 38:26.967
CHRISTIAN STARTED OFF GETTING 

38:26.967 --> 38:28.200
PAID AT $8 AN HOUR.

38:28.200 --> 38:30.933
NOW YOU ARE AT $10 AN HOUR.

38:30.933 --> 38:32.933
I AM SURE THAT YOU DON'T FEEL 

38:32.933 --> 38:34.100
DEPRIVED OF ANY TYPE OF WORK 

38:34.100 --> 38:35.633
FORCE TRAINING OR LIKE YOUR 

38:35.633 --> 38:37.267
CAREER IS NOT BEING DEVELOPED.

38:37.267 --> 38:38.633
YOU ARE A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE 

38:38.633 --> 38:40.033
FACT THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU PAY 

38:40.033 --> 38:41.200
YOUNG PEOPLE MORE DOESN'T MEAN 

38:41.200 --> 38:42.400
THEY ARE GOING TO BE DEPRIVED 

38:42.400 --> 38:44.267
OF ANY REAL LESSONS.

38:44.267 --> 38:46.267
RIGHT NOW TAXPAYERS ARE 

38:46.267 --> 38:47.433
SUBSIDIZING MINIMUM WAGE 

38:47.433 --> 38:47.900
COMPANIES.

38:47.900 --> 38:49.967
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, 40 YEARS

38:49.967 --> 38:51.500
AGO, IF YOU WORKED AND YOU WERE

38:51.500 --> 38:52.833
THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD AND 

38:52.833 --> 38:54.733
YOU EARNED THE MINIMUM WAGE, 

38:54.733 --> 38:55.867
YOU MADE ENOUGH MONEY TO 

38:55.867 --> 38:57.400
SUPPORT A FAMILY OF FOUR.

38:57.400 --> 38:58.433
TODAY YOU DON'T MAKE ENOUGH 

38:58.433 --> 39:00.067
MONEY TO SUPPORT A FAMILY OF 

39:00.067 --> 39:01.933
TWO WITHOUT BEING ON FOOD 

39:01.933 --> 39:03.733
STAMPS OR SOME TYPE OF HOUSING 

39:03.733 --> 39:04.933
ASSISTANCE OR SOME OTHER TYPE 

39:04.933 --> 39:05.833
OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

39:05.833 --> 39:07.200
GUESS WHO IS PAYING FOR THAT?

39:07.200 --> 39:07.800
WE ARE.

39:07.800 --> 39:09.367
IF YOU TAKE THAT INDIVIDUAL AND

39:09.367 --> 39:11.367
YOU PAY THEM A LIVING WAGE AND 

39:11.367 --> 39:13.467
THEY'RE NO LONGER DEPENDENT ON 

39:13.467 --> 39:14.833
FOOD STAMPS TO PUT BREAD ON THE

39:14.833 --> 39:16.867
TABLE OR EGGS ON THE TABLE FOR 

39:16.867 --> 39:18.233
BREAKFAST, NO LONGER DEPENDING 

39:18.233 --> 39:19.967
ON HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO KEEP A

39:19.967 --> 39:21.967
ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD OR 

39:21.967 --> 39:23.433
ASSISTANCE FROM ENERGY TO KEEP 

39:23.433 --> 39:25.000
THE LIGHTS ON, THAT IS MONEY 

39:25.000 --> 39:26.467
THAT WE'RE SAVING AS TAXPAYERS 

39:26.467 --> 39:27.933
THAT CAN GO TO THINGS LIKE 

39:27.933 --> 39:30.300
EXPANDING THE EITC OR 

39:30.300 --> 39:31.667
REINVESTMENT IN THE WORK FORCE 

39:31.667 --> 39:33.500
DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING 

39:33.500 --> 39:35.500
PROGRAMS OR EVEN PAYING FOR 

39:35.500 --> 39:38.400
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

39:38.400 --> 39:40.167
FOR EVERY ONE IN TAXPAYER 

39:40.167 --> 39:42.967
DOLLARS, YOU GET $11 BACK IN 

39:42.967 --> 39:43.767
ECONOMIC RETURN.

39:43.767 --> 39:45.700
IT IS INTERESTING THAT WE HAVE 

39:45.700 --> 39:47.367
A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE EITC 

39:47.367 --> 39:50.400
WHEN THE FACT OF THE MATTER 

39:50.400 --> 39:51.667
INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE HAS

39:51.667 --> 39:53.400
PROVEN TO BE THE BEST 

39:53.400 --> 39:54.967
ANTIPOVERTY POLICY OUT THERE.

39:54.967 --> 39:57.000
AND THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN IN 

39:57.000 --> 39:58.233
EVERY STATE AND CITY THAT HAS 

39:58.233 --> 39:58.900
DONE IT.

39:58.900 --> 40:01.067
>> I'M NOT SURE -- 

40:01.067 --> 40:01.733
>> YES.

40:01.733 --> 40:04.667
>> RELATIVE TO CHRISTIAN'S 

40:04.667 --> 40:05.800
LAUDABLE CONCERN FOR THOSE 

40:05.800 --> 40:06.967
INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NOT 

40:06.967 --> 40:09.000
NECESSARILY MAKING THE WAGE 

40:09.000 --> 40:10.867
THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO, THESE 

40:10.867 --> 40:12.600
ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE A 

40:12.600 --> 40:15.133
CERTAIN VALUE TO THE EMPLOYER.

40:15.133 --> 40:18.667
AND IF YOU ARTIFICIALLY INFLATE

40:18.667 --> 40:20.333
THAT -- THAT AMOUNT THAT 

40:20.333 --> 40:22.000
THEY'RE PAID, THE VALUE DOESN'T

40:22.000 --> 40:22.600
CHANGE.

40:22.600 --> 40:23.600
THEY STILL HAVE THE SKILLS THAT

40:23.600 --> 40:24.967
THEY HAVE AND NO MORE THAN 

40:24.967 --> 40:25.633
THAT.

40:25.633 --> 40:26.933
SUDDENLY THAT EMPLOYER MAY BE 

40:26.933 --> 40:28.767
LOOKING AT SOMEONE ELSE RATHER 

40:28.767 --> 40:30.033
THAN THAT INDIVIDUAL TO REMAIN 

40:30.033 --> 40:31.400
IN THAT POSITION.

40:31.400 --> 40:35.300
SO, FOR EXAMPLE, SAY AN OLDER 

40:35.300 --> 40:36.700
INDIVIDUAL IN SUCH A JOB IS NOT

40:36.700 --> 40:38.467
ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, IS NOT ABLE 

40:38.467 --> 40:40.200
TO WORK WITH COMPUTERS THE WAY 

40:40.200 --> 40:42.633
THAT YOU CAN, SUDDENLY YOU LOOK

40:42.633 --> 40:44.500
A LOT MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN THAT

40:44.500 --> 40:45.633
INDIVIDUAL AND THAT INDIVIDUAL 

40:45.633 --> 40:46.267
MAY LOSE THEIR JOB.

40:46.267 --> 40:50.267
THIS IS THE CONCERN WE HAVE 

40:50.267 --> 40:51.967
ABOUT A GAIN.

40:51.967 --> 40:53.267
HERBERT'S INTENTIONS ARE VERY, 

40:53.267 --> 40:55.067
VERY GOOD BUT I THINK THE 

40:55.067 --> 40:56.467
CONSEQUENCES WILL NOT BE AS 

40:56.467 --> 40:58.500
STRAIGHTFORWARD AS BELIEVED.

40:58.500 --> 41:00.200
>> I THINK THAT THE OPPONENTS 

41:00.200 --> 41:02.100
AND THE ADVOCATES, IT IS JUST 

41:02.100 --> 41:03.233
ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU 

41:03.233 --> 41:05.067
HAVE TO FIND THAT BALANCE.

41:05.067 --> 41:07.033
I AM A LONG-TIME STATE CIVIL 

41:07.033 --> 41:07.633
SERVANT.

41:07.633 --> 41:08.700
AND I HAVEN'T BEEN IN IT FOR 

41:08.700 --> 41:09.300
THE MONEY.

41:09.300 --> 41:12.600
I LOVE WHAT I DO.

41:12.600 --> 41:15.467
I'VE WORKED FOR EVERY STATE 

41:15.467 --> 41:19.200
AGENCY POSSIBLE, WHETHER IT IS 

41:19.200 --> 41:23.067
HOUSING, DHS, FOOD STAMPS WHICH

41:23.067 --> 41:24.800
IS NOW CHILDREN AND FAMILY 

41:24.800 --> 41:25.933
SERVICES.

41:25.933 --> 41:27.667
I HAVE SEEN THE WHOLE SPECTRUM 

41:27.667 --> 41:29.600
OF POVERTY AND HOW PEOPLE TRY 

41:29.600 --> 41:32.967
TO RISE OUT OF IT FROM PUBLIC 

41:32.967 --> 41:34.767
HOUSING SECTION 8 AND OWNING A 

41:34.767 --> 41:35.700
HOME.

41:35.700 --> 41:37.400
THERE ARE A LOT OF TOOLS OUT 

41:37.400 --> 41:39.100
THERE FOR EMPLOYERS.

41:39.100 --> 41:41.033
I KNOW MR. PATTERSON TRIES TO 

41:41.033 --> 41:43.667
DO EVERYTHING THAT HE CAN FOR 

41:43.667 --> 41:46.067
EMPLOYERS TO BUILD THAT 

41:46.067 --> 41:47.033
INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT THERE IS 

41:47.033 --> 41:49.333
LIKE REPRESENTATIVE DIXON SAID,

41:49.333 --> 41:50.700
THERE IS THE WORK OPPORTUNITY 

41:50.700 --> 41:51.600
TAX CREDIT.

41:51.600 --> 41:54.900
I THINK EMPLOYERS HAVE TO DO 

41:54.900 --> 41:57.733
THEIR DUE DILIGENCE AND THE JOB

41:57.733 --> 41:58.800
SEEKERS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 

41:58.800 --> 42:00.833
RIGHT NOW IN LOUISIANA IS 

42:00.833 --> 42:01.667
EXTREMELY LOW.

42:01.667 --> 42:03.667
THERE ARE SO MANY ECONOMIC 

42:03.667 --> 42:04.867
DEVELOPMENT WINS TAKING PLACE 

42:04.867 --> 42:07.000
ACROSS THE STATE, SO THERE IS A

42:07.000 --> 42:11.400
DEMAND FOR EMPLOYEES AND A LOT 

42:11.400 --> 42:13.533
OF THOSE WORKERS ARE UNSKILLED 

42:13.533 --> 42:15.600
AND WE ALSO HAVE TO PUT IN THE 

42:15.600 --> 42:17.100
INFRASTRUCTURE IN OUR 

42:17.100 --> 42:17.533
EDUCATION.

42:17.533 --> 42:21.333
SO MANY WRAP-AROUND SERVICES --

42:21.333 --> 42:22.633
THE MINIMUM WAGE IS GOING TO 

42:22.633 --> 42:24.233
HELP IN SOME RESPECTS, BUT, 

42:24.233 --> 42:25.600
AGAIN, IT IS GOING TO HURT.

42:25.600 --> 42:27.667
I DO BELIEVE THE PHASE-IN 

42:27.667 --> 42:30.067
APPROACH WILL HELP, BUT IT IS A

42:30.067 --> 42:32.200
WHOLE LOT OF OTHER PIECES TO 

42:32.200 --> 42:33.900
THIS PUZZLE TO MAKE THINGS 

42:33.900 --> 42:35.533
WORK, AND I REALLY SUGGEST THAT

42:35.533 --> 42:38.400
YOU DO WORK WITH THE WORK FORCE

42:38.400 --> 42:39.733
DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS AND 

42:39.733 --> 42:41.700
CAREER SOLUTION CENTERS TO HELP

42:41.700 --> 42:43.100
YOU MEET YOUR EMPLOYMENT NEEDS.

42:43.100 --> 42:44.367
THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE THERE FOR.

42:44.367 --> 42:46.033
AND THEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO 

42:46.033 --> 42:47.967
SPEND MONEY ON ADVERTISING.

42:47.967 --> 42:50.000
THAT'S WHAT THAT STATE AGENCY 

42:50.000 --> 42:52.033
IS THERE TO DO FOR YOU AS A 

42:52.033 --> 42:53.767
BUSINESS OWNER.

42:53.767 --> 42:55.133
>> LET'S GET TIMOTHY IN.

42:55.133 --> 42:56.900
>> I GUESS MY QUESTION IS FOR 

42:56.900 --> 42:58.600
THE GENTLEMAN THAT REPRESENTS 

42:58.600 --> 42:59.867
THE BUSINESSES OF LOUISIANA, IS

42:59.867 --> 43:01.567
THAT WITH THE FEEDBACK THAT YOU

43:01.567 --> 43:02.633
HAVE ABOUT BUSINESS, HOW MANY 

43:02.633 --> 43:04.567
OF THEM ACTUALLY SAY THAT THEY 

43:04.567 --> 43:05.667
WOULD RAISE THEIR RATES OF 

43:05.667 --> 43:07.600
THEIR EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A 

43:07.600 --> 43:08.133
MANDATE?

43:08.133 --> 43:09.800
BECAUSE I THINK WHAT IS A REAL 

43:09.800 --> 43:10.867
DISCUSSION HERE IS IT REALLY 

43:10.867 --> 43:12.300
NUMBERS OR IS IT REALLY A 

43:12.300 --> 43:13.533
DISCUSSION OF ARE WE HAVING -- 

43:13.533 --> 43:15.367
WE'RE BEING FORCED TO, A 

43:15.367 --> 43:15.900
MANDATE?

43:15.900 --> 43:17.200
AND I THINK FROM THE FEEDBACK 

43:17.200 --> 43:18.600
THAT YOU GET MOSTLY FROM A LOT 

43:18.600 --> 43:21.600
OF PEOPLE IS THAT IT IS A 

43:21.600 --> 43:22.367
MANDATE.

43:22.367 --> 43:23.600
IS IT REALLY SOMETHING THEY ARE

43:23.600 --> 43:25.000
FEELING AGAINST BECAUSE OF THE 

43:25.000 --> 43:26.367
NUMBERS OR IS IT BECAUSE IT IS 

43:26.367 --> 43:27.900
A MANDATE FROM THE GOVERNMENT?

43:27.900 --> 43:29.467
>> BUSINESSES WILL MAKE A 

43:29.467 --> 43:31.067
DECISION THAT LOGICALLY WORKS 

43:31.067 --> 43:33.167
FOR THEM IN TERMS OF THEIR GOAL

43:33.167 --> 43:34.200
TO MAKE A PROFIT.

43:34.200 --> 43:35.467
THAT IS WHY PEOPLE GET INTO 

43:35.467 --> 43:37.833
BUSINESS TO MAKE A PROFIT.

43:37.833 --> 43:39.833
JUST AS YOU CHOOSE TO ENGAGE IN

43:39.833 --> 43:41.133
EMPLOYMENT IN ORDER TO MAKE 

43:41.133 --> 43:42.600
MONEY, THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE 

43:42.600 --> 43:43.067
MONEY.

43:43.067 --> 43:46.067
SO, THEY WILL NECESSARILY MAKE 

43:46.067 --> 43:47.267
THE DECISION GOING FORWARD THAT

43:47.267 --> 43:48.833
BEST SUITS THE SITUATION THAT 

43:48.833 --> 43:49.533
THEY'RE IN.

43:49.533 --> 43:51.733
IF, IN FACT, YOU HAVE AN 

43:51.733 --> 43:53.267
INCREASED DEMAND FOR THE KINDS 

43:53.267 --> 43:54.833
OF EMPLOYEES THAT THEY ARE 

43:54.833 --> 43:56.300
LOOKING FOR, THEY ARE 

43:56.300 --> 43:57.267
NECESSARILY GOING TO HAVE TO 

43:57.267 --> 43:58.800
PAY MORE IN ORDER TO ATTRACT 

43:58.800 --> 43:59.600
THOSE EMPLOYEES.

43:59.600 --> 44:01.167
THAT IS A PART OF THE 

44:01.167 --> 44:01.800
MARKETPLACE.

44:01.800 --> 44:04.300
THAT IS HOW IT OPERATES IN 

44:04.300 --> 44:05.233
NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

44:05.233 --> 44:10.233
WHEN WE GO AND START TINKERING 

44:10.233 --> 44:11.733
WITH IT AT A GOVERNMENT LEVEL, 

44:11.733 --> 44:13.400
YOU START TO CREATE 

44:13.400 --> 44:14.567
CONSEQUENCES THAT ARE 

44:14.567 --> 44:15.900
UNINTENDED AND ARE ACTUALLY 

44:15.900 --> 44:17.100
ADVERSE TO MANY PEOPLE THAT YOU

44:17.100 --> 44:19.400
ARE TRYING TO HELP, WE BELIEVE.

44:19.400 --> 44:20.567
>> AREN'T SMALL BUSINESSES 

44:20.567 --> 44:21.467
ALREADY DOING THAT?

44:21.467 --> 44:22.933
WE HAVE TWO SMALL BUSINESS 

44:22.933 --> 44:24.000
OWNERS WITH US TONIGHT.

44:24.000 --> 44:25.700
BOTH OF YOU PAY YOUR EMPLOYEES 

44:25.700 --> 44:27.133
MORE THAN THE MINIMUM WAGE.

44:27.133 --> 44:29.567
SO YOU ARE TRYING TO ATTRACT 

44:29.567 --> 44:31.500
SKILLED WORKERS, OR YOU ARE 

44:31.500 --> 44:33.533
TRYING TO ATTRACT A CERTAIN 

44:33.533 --> 44:35.867
TYPE OF WORKER BY THAT 

44:35.867 --> 44:36.433
INCENTIVE?

44:36.433 --> 44:39.700
YOU ARE USING MONEY AS AN 

44:39.700 --> 44:40.633
INCENTIVE?

44:40.633 --> 44:41.867
ISN'T THAT ALREADY HAPPENING?

44:41.867 --> 44:42.667
>> ABSOLUTELY.

44:42.667 --> 44:45.033
AND IT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO 

44:45.033 --> 44:45.467
HAPPEN.

44:45.467 --> 44:46.933
>> TO ANSWER HIS QUESTION, NOT 

44:46.933 --> 44:48.033
NECESSARILY THE RAISE, BUT 

44:48.033 --> 44:49.267
BEING FORCED TO DO SOMETHING OR

44:49.267 --> 44:50.533
BEING TOLD THAT YOU HAVE TO DO 

44:50.533 --> 44:51.733
SOMETHING, IS THAT MORE THE 

44:51.733 --> 44:52.167
ISSUE?

44:52.167 --> 44:54.400
>> NO, I THINK IT REALLY IS THE

44:54.400 --> 44:55.533
CONSEQUENCE OF THE INCREASE.

44:55.533 --> 44:57.367
AND WE ALL NEED TO REALIZE THAT

44:57.367 --> 44:58.533
WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT 

44:58.533 --> 45:01.100
THE INCREASE IN THE -- THE WAGE

45:01.100 --> 45:02.333
RATE, THE HOURLY RATE.

45:02.333 --> 45:04.167
IT HAS A CONSEQUENCE BEYOND 

45:04.167 --> 45:06.233
THAT BECAUSE I, AS AN EMPLOYER,

45:06.233 --> 45:09.133
HAVE TO PAY TAXES AND INSURANCE

45:09.133 --> 45:10.867
PREMIUMS ON THE PAYROLL THAT I 

45:10.867 --> 45:11.367
HAVE.

45:11.367 --> 45:13.000
SO, WHEN YOU ARBITRARILY TELL 

45:13.000 --> 45:14.600
ME NOW THAT I HAVE TO PAY THIS 

45:14.600 --> 45:16.967
MUCH MORE, THEN I'VE ALSO GOT 

45:16.967 --> 45:19.167
TO PAY THAT MUCH MORE IN OTHER 

45:19.167 --> 45:20.233
EXPENSES THAT WERE NOT 

45:20.233 --> 45:21.367
CONTEMPLATED NECESSARILY.

45:21.367 --> 45:22.400
>> I THINK IT IS INTERESTING 

45:22.400 --> 45:23.533
THAT WE TALK ABOUT BUSINESSES 

45:23.533 --> 45:24.967
AND THE PRIMARY DRIVER BEING 

45:24.967 --> 45:25.533
PROFIT.

45:25.533 --> 45:26.733
IF YOU LOOK AT LOUISIANA AND 

45:26.733 --> 45:28.100
MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS IN 

45:28.100 --> 45:29.333
LOUISIANA, THE VAST MAJORITY OF

45:29.333 --> 45:30.767
THEM ARE EMPLOYED BY 

45:30.767 --> 45:32.733
INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES AND 

45:32.733 --> 45:35.067
NATIONAL COMPANIES, NATIONAL 

45:35.067 --> 45:36.567
FRANCHISES AND CHAINS THAT MAKE

45:36.567 --> 45:38.633
MILLIONS IN PROFITS, BILLIONS 

45:38.633 --> 45:40.033
EVEN.

45:40.033 --> 45:44.700
EVEN THROUGH THE MOST RECENT 

45:44.700 --> 45:47.000
RECESSION, COMPANIES LIKE 

45:47.000 --> 45:49.600
WALMART, McDONALD'S -- LOOK AT 

45:49.600 --> 45:50.100
COSTCO.

45:50.100 --> 45:51.833
COSTCO IS OPENING UP A NEW 

45:51.833 --> 45:52.933
BEAUTIFUL FACILITY HERE IN 

45:52.933 --> 45:53.500
BATON ROUGE.

45:53.500 --> 45:54.767
GUESS WHAT, THEY PAY ALL OF 

45:54.767 --> 45:55.767
THEIR EMPLOYEES ABOVE THE 

45:55.767 --> 45:56.400
MINIMUM WAGE.

45:56.400 --> 45:57.300
SO, IT CAN WORK.

45:57.300 --> 45:58.100
IT CAN HAPPEN.

45:58.100 --> 45:59.367
THESE BUSINESSES CAN ABSORB 

45:59.367 --> 46:00.033
THAT COST.

46:00.033 --> 46:01.767
BUT GETTING BACK TO THE POINT 

46:01.767 --> 46:03.433
THAT MR. TIMOTHY MADE EARLIER, 

46:03.433 --> 46:05.333
WE AS AMERICANS, WE VALUE HARD 

46:05.333 --> 46:05.733
WORK.

46:05.733 --> 46:07.500
IF YOU A MINIMUM WAGE WORKER 

46:07.500 --> 46:09.833
WORKING 40 HOURS A WEEK, 52 

46:09.833 --> 46:11.267
WEEKS A YEAR, THAT MEANS YOU 

46:11.267 --> 46:12.933
TOOK NO VACATION, NO SICK DAYS 

46:12.933 --> 46:15.000
AND YOU ARRIVED ON TIME FOR 

46:15.000 --> 46:16.433
YOUR HOURLY JOB EVERY SINGLE 

46:16.433 --> 46:18.333
DAY, YOU'RE STILL IN POVERTY IF

46:18.333 --> 46:20.300
YOU HAVE ONE CHILD.

46:20.300 --> 46:21.933
>> VERY FEW MINIMUM WAGE 

46:21.933 --> 46:23.600
WORKERS WORK 40 HOURS A WEEK.

46:23.600 --> 46:24.833
MOST ARE ON PART-TIME.

46:24.833 --> 46:26.267
I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS AN 

46:26.267 --> 46:27.633
ISSUE ABOUT THE REACTIONS OF 

46:27.633 --> 46:29.933
PEOPLE IF THEY'RE FORCED TO DO 

46:29.933 --> 46:30.633
THIS.

46:30.633 --> 46:31.700
I DON'T HAVE INFORMATION FOR 

46:31.700 --> 46:32.133
LOUISIANA.

46:32.133 --> 46:35.533
BUT I KNOW THAT DUKE UNIVERSITY

46:35.533 --> 46:38.767
IN CONJUNCTION WITH GLOBAL, 

46:38.767 --> 46:40.800
SOMETHING OR OTHER MAGAZINE, 

46:40.800 --> 46:45.067
DID A SURVEY AND THEY ASKED 

46:45.067 --> 46:49.267
CEO'S OF BIG COMPANIES IN DIRNT

46:49.267 --> 46:52.267
DIRNT -- DIFFERENT SECTORS OF 

46:52.267 --> 46:54.800
OF THE ECONOMY, WOULD YOU 

46:54.800 --> 46:56.000
REDUCE HIRING IF THE MINIMUM 

46:56.000 --> 46:56.900
WAGE WAS INCREASED?

46:56.900 --> 46:58.333
WHEN THEY LEFT IT OPEN-ENDED 

46:58.333 --> 47:00.067
LIKE THAT, THE MAJORITY DIDN'T 

47:00.067 --> 47:01.667
SAY THAT THEY WOULD REDUCE 

47:01.667 --> 47:02.333
HIRING.

47:02.333 --> 47:03.633
OKAY, BUT WHEN THEY ASKED THE 

47:03.633 --> 47:04.667
QUESTION, WOULD YOU REDUCE 

47:04.667 --> 47:06.000
HIRING IF THE MINIMUM WAGE WENT

47:06.000 --> 47:07.467
TO $10?

47:07.467 --> 47:09.533
BETWEEN 81 AND 93% OF THEM SAID

47:09.533 --> 47:11.200
YES, WE WOULD.

47:11.200 --> 47:14.067
SO, THE SIZE OF THE ADJUSTMENT 

47:14.067 --> 47:14.567
MATTERS.

47:14.567 --> 47:18.467
THE RESPONSIVENESS OF HOW 

47:18.467 --> 47:19.800
EMPLOYERS ACTUALLY REACT IS 

47:19.800 --> 47:21.400
SOMETHING THAT IS VERY 

47:21.400 --> 47:23.400
DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT.

47:23.400 --> 47:24.800
ECONOMISTS TRY, BUT, YOU KNOW, 

47:24.800 --> 47:26.100
YOU CAN'T REALLY -- IT IS THE 

47:26.100 --> 47:27.533
KIND OF THING THAT YOU DON'T 

47:27.533 --> 47:28.600
KNOW UNTIL AFTER THE FACT.

47:28.600 --> 47:30.000
THAT'S WHY I SAY, YOU LOOK AT 

47:30.000 --> 47:32.700
PAST EXPERIENCE AND YOU TRY TO 

47:32.700 --> 47:33.767
GAIN SOME KNOWLEDGE -- 

47:33.767 --> 47:35.300
>> IF I CAN BRIEFLY, BECAUSE I 

47:35.300 --> 47:36.833
WAS CUT OFF.

47:36.833 --> 47:38.067
ACTUALLY WE HAVE LOUISIANA 

47:38.067 --> 47:39.667
NUMBERS AT THE LOUISIANA BUDGET

47:39.667 --> 47:40.233
PROJECT.

47:40.233 --> 47:41.900
66% OF MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS IN 

47:41.900 --> 47:43.967
THIS STATE ARE FULL-TIME 

47:43.967 --> 47:44.533
WORKERS.

47:44.533 --> 47:46.567
FOR EVERY ONE TEENAGER THAT 

47:46.567 --> 47:48.700
WOULD GET A PAY RAISE AS A 

47:48.700 --> 47:49.667
RESULT OF MINIMUM WAGE 

47:49.667 --> 47:51.200
INCREASE, THREE PEOPLE OVER THE

47:51.200 --> 47:53.767
AGE OF 40.

47:53.767 --> 47:55.200
THREE TIMES OF -- OVER THE AGE 

47:55.200 --> 47:57.400
OF 40, AND 300,000 CHILDREN IN 

47:57.400 --> 48:00.267
OUR STATE WHO HAVE AT LEAST ONE

48:00.267 --> 48:01.800
PARENT WHO WOULD RECEIVE A PAY 

48:01.800 --> 48:03.700
RAISE AS A RESULT OF A MINIMUM 

48:03.700 --> 48:04.500
WAGE INCREASE.

48:04.500 --> 48:06.133
YOU'RE RIGHT, SIR, PEOPLE ARE 

48:06.133 --> 48:09.933
NOT NECESSARILY MOTIVATED BY 

48:09.933 --> 48:10.367
MOM.

48:10.367 --> 48:12.467
BUT IF YOU ARE A SINGLE MOM, 

48:12.467 --> 48:16.300
YOU CAN WORK AT COMPANY A, 

48:16.300 --> 48:19.967
$7.75 ON COMPANY THAT PAYS YOU 

48:19.967 --> 48:20.533
$10.10.

48:20.533 --> 48:22.133
SHE IS GOING TO CHOOSE THE 

48:22.133 --> 48:22.533
$10.10.

48:22.533 --> 48:24.133
>> ONE THING THAT I'M INTRIGUED

48:24.133 --> 48:26.133
BY, I KNOW YOU MENTIONED 

48:26.133 --> 48:27.667
REPRESENTATIVE THAT YOUR BILL 

48:27.667 --> 48:28.600
INCREMENTS IT.

48:28.600 --> 48:30.400
LET'S JUMP.

48:30.400 --> 48:31.400
WE'RE TALKING $10.10.

48:31.400 --> 48:33.567
THAT IS ROUGHLY, AS I FIGURED 

48:33.567 --> 48:37.667
IT OUT, A 38% INCREASE.

48:37.667 --> 48:38.833
NOW, HOW MANY BUSINESSES AND 

48:38.833 --> 48:41.633
WHAT DO THE BUSINESSES HAVE TO 

48:41.633 --> 48:45.133
DO IN RESPONSE TO ABSORBING 

48:45.133 --> 48:47.333
THAT 38%, AND AS YOU JUST 

48:47.333 --> 48:50.700
MENTIONED, NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT

48:50.700 --> 48:52.733
HIGHER WORKMEN'S COMP, HIGHER 

48:52.733 --> 48:54.833
TAXES, EVERYTHING THAT GOES UP 

48:54.833 --> 48:56.133
WITH THEIR PAYROLL.

48:56.133 --> 48:58.233
THE ECONOMISTS CAN TELL US, I 

48:58.233 --> 48:59.667
DON'T KNOW, MAYBE THAT COMES 

48:59.667 --> 49:03.067
OUT OF THE 42% RAISE FOR THE 

49:03.067 --> 49:03.533
BUSINESS.

49:03.533 --> 49:04.933
HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO SUCK 

49:04.933 --> 49:05.800
THAT UP?

49:05.800 --> 49:10.233
>> YES, AND I WANT TO -- I HEAR

49:10.233 --> 49:10.867
YOU.

49:10.867 --> 49:12.400
ANY BUSINESS WITH THAT 

49:12.400 --> 49:14.400
INCREASE, THAT OUGHT TO BE 

49:14.400 --> 49:14.967
DIFFICULT.

49:14.967 --> 49:17.800
AND SO, I'M LOOKING AT 2016, 

49:17.800 --> 49:20.700
AND LOOKING AT THIS HISTORY OF 

49:20.700 --> 49:21.533
MINIMUM WAGE GOING UP.

49:21.533 --> 49:23.267
WE CAN HAVE THE ECONOMIC 

49:23.267 --> 49:24.867
FORECAST ALL WE WANT.

49:24.867 --> 49:26.900
70% OF AMERICANS SAY THAT THE 

49:26.900 --> 49:28.067
MINIMUM WAGE OUGHT TO GO UP AND

49:28.067 --> 49:30.733
THAT CROSSES ALL OF THE 

49:30.733 --> 49:32.500
DYNAMICS, WHETHER IT IS BLACK, 

49:32.500 --> 49:33.067
WHITE.

49:33.067 --> 49:34.200
WHAT I'M TELLING YOU, IN MY 

49:34.200 --> 49:36.600
BILL, WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS 

49:36.600 --> 49:39.667
IN INCREMENTS, FROM $7.25, NOT 

49:39.667 --> 49:42.900
JULY 1, THE FIRST OF THIS FIZZ

49:42.900 --> 49:45.167
FISCAL YEAR, BUT THE NEXT 

49:45.167 --> 49:47.767
FISCAL YEAR RAISE IT $1 AND LET

49:47.767 --> 49:49.233
BUSINESSES ACCLIMATE THEMSELVES

49:49.233 --> 49:50.067
TO THAT.

49:50.067 --> 49:52.333
THEN IN 2016, YOU PUT 75 CENTS 

49:52.333 --> 49:53.333
ON TOP OF THAT.

49:53.333 --> 49:55.367
YOU GET IT AT $9.

49:55.367 --> 49:56.633
YOU ARE RIGHT AROUND THE 

49:56.633 --> 49:57.500
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

49:57.500 --> 49:59.500
I SUBMIT TO YOU, IF WE HAD THIS

49:59.500 --> 50:01.133
SETTING AGAIN IN A YEAR AND A 

50:01.133 --> 50:04.967
HALF, YOU'RE GOING TO FIND THAT

50:04.967 --> 50:07.633
70% OF FOLKS THAT -- THEY ARE 

50:07.633 --> 50:09.367
GOING TO SAY TO THEIR 

50:09.367 --> 50:10.833
LEGISLATORS AND CONGRESSMAN, 

50:10.833 --> 50:14.167
VOTE FOR THE MINIMUM WAGE -- 

50:14.167 --> 50:15.600
>> IF WE HAVE TO -- 

50:15.600 --> 50:17.400
>> LET'S JUST HEAR FROM HIM.

50:17.400 --> 50:18.933
YOU'RE AGAIN, REPRESENTING THE 

50:18.933 --> 50:19.500
BUSINESSES.

50:19.500 --> 50:22.300
IS THE PHASE-IN APPROACH A WAY 

50:22.300 --> 50:23.767
TO DEAL WITH IT BETTER?

50:23.767 --> 50:27.833
WOULD BUSINESSES BE MORE APT TO

50:27.833 --> 50:29.700
ACCEPTING A PHASED-IN APPROACH?

50:29.700 --> 50:31.333
>> I DON'T NECESSARILY THEY 

50:31.333 --> 50:33.067
WOULD BE MORE APT TO ACCEPT IT.

50:33.067 --> 50:34.233
DOES IT HURT AS MUCH?

50:34.233 --> 50:35.067
PERHAPS NOT.

50:35.067 --> 50:36.733
BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH

50:36.733 --> 50:38.267
THAT COST INCREASE AND WHATEVER

50:38.267 --> 50:41.267
CLOSE MARGINS YOU'RE DEALING 

50:41.267 --> 50:41.600
WITH.

50:41.600 --> 50:42.733
AND THAT IS THE THING WE NEED 

50:42.733 --> 50:43.500
TO UNDERSTAND.

50:43.500 --> 50:44.967
A LOT OF BUSINESSES PAYING THAT

50:44.967 --> 50:46.000
MINIMUM WAGE ARE DOING SO 

50:46.000 --> 50:47.967
BECAUSE THEY HAVE A VERY NARROW

50:47.967 --> 50:48.833
MARGIN.

50:48.833 --> 50:51.900
SO, EVEN A DOLLAR, OR 75 CENTS,

50:51.900 --> 50:53.000
CAN REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT 

50:53.000 --> 50:53.900
INCREASE FOR THEM.

50:53.900 --> 50:56.733
YOU KNOW, IT MAY NOT BE SO FOR 

50:56.733 --> 50:57.267
MICHAEL.

50:57.267 --> 50:58.733
BUT IT CAN BE FOR CERTAIN 

50:58.733 --> 50:59.300
BUSINESSES.

50:59.300 --> 51:00.767
AND WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS THAT 

51:00.767 --> 51:04.233
YOU'RE GOING TO END UP HAVING 

51:04.233 --> 51:07.000
SOME SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON 

51:07.000 --> 51:08.033
INDIVIDUALS' LIVES TO THE 

51:08.033 --> 51:08.567
ADVERSE.

51:08.567 --> 51:10.333
AND WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT 

51:10.333 --> 51:11.200
HAPPENING.

51:11.200 --> 51:14.667
WE LIKE THE FACT THAT IN 

51:14.667 --> 51:17.367
LOUISIANA, WE HAVE AN ECONOMY 

51:17.367 --> 51:18.700
DICTATING WHAT PEOPLE ARE PAID.

51:18.700 --> 51:20.000
THAT'S THE WAY THAT WE BELIEVE 

51:20.000 --> 51:20.900
THAT IT SHOULD BE.

51:20.900 --> 51:22.533
>> OKAY.

51:22.533 --> 51:23.000
YES.

51:23.000 --> 51:25.367
>> I THINK MR. MICHAEL -- I 

51:25.367 --> 51:28.000
THINK MR. MICHAEL BRINGS A 

51:28.000 --> 51:29.000
GREAT POINT ACTUALLY.

51:29.000 --> 51:30.833
HAD THE VALUE OF THE MINIMUM 

51:30.833 --> 51:32.000
WAGE, ACTUAL PURCHASING POWER 

51:32.000 --> 51:33.867
OF THE MINIMUM WAGE REMAINED 

51:33.867 --> 51:35.567
CONSISTENT SINCE 1968, IT WOULD

51:35.567 --> 51:38.400
ALREADY BE MORE THAN $10 HOUR.

51:38.400 --> 51:42.633
IT HAD INCREASED WITH WORKER 

51:42.633 --> 51:43.700
PRODUCTIVITY, ACTUALLY UP 

51:43.700 --> 51:44.800
AROUND $15 AN HOUR.

51:44.800 --> 51:46.300
OF COURSE, JUST LIKE YOU 

51:46.300 --> 51:47.500
MENTIONED, IF A BILL DICTATES 

51:47.500 --> 51:48.800
THAT A BUSINESS HAS TO PAY ALL 

51:48.800 --> 51:53.333
OF ITS EMPLOYEES FROM $7.25 TO 

51:53.333 --> 51:54.833
$15, IF MY BOSS HAD TO DEAL 

51:54.833 --> 51:56.133
WITH THAT, HE WOULD PROBABLY 

51:56.133 --> 51:56.700
FIRE ME.

51:56.700 --> 51:58.067
I HEAR YOU 100% ON THAT.

51:58.067 --> 52:00.433
THE POINT THAT YOU GET TO IS 

52:00.433 --> 52:02.933
WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO NOT 

52:02.933 --> 52:04.300
ONLY ESTABLISH THE MINIMUM WAGE

52:04.300 --> 52:05.733
BUT TIE THAT MINIMUM WAGE WITH 

52:05.733 --> 52:07.333
THE COST OF INFLATION.

52:07.333 --> 52:08.567
THAT WAY BUSINESSES DON'T HAVE 

52:08.567 --> 52:10.733
TO DEAL WITH THE SHOCK WHILE AT

52:10.733 --> 52:12.233
THE SAME TIME THE AMOUNT THAT 

52:12.233 --> 52:13.400
EMPLOYEES ARE GETTING PAID 

52:13.400 --> 52:15.233
STILL ALLOWS THEM TO BUY 

52:15.233 --> 52:16.633
EVERYDAY GOODS LIKE MILK, BREAD

52:16.633 --> 52:18.467
AND STUFF FOR THEIR FAMILY.

52:18.467 --> 52:20.067
THE ONLY REASON WHY WE'RE 

52:20.067 --> 52:22.933
HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IS 

52:22.933 --> 52:26.133
BECAUSE $5.25 A COUPLE OF YEARS

52:26.133 --> 52:28.467
AGO BOUGHT YOU MORE THAN WHAT 

52:28.467 --> 52:29.767
$7.25 BUYS YOU TODAY.

52:29.767 --> 52:31.233
THAT IS THE ONLY REASON WE'RE 

52:31.233 --> 52:32.300
HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.

52:32.300 --> 52:33.233
>> DR. HEBERT, GET YOUR 

52:33.233 --> 52:34.033
THOUGHTS ON THIS.

52:34.033 --> 52:36.700
>> THE MARKET HAS ALREADY TAKEN

52:36.700 --> 52:40.200
CARE TO THAT TO A LARGE EXTENT.

52:40.200 --> 52:41.433
WHY THIS GENTLEMAN GOT MORE 

52:41.433 --> 52:42.933
THAN THE MINIMUM WAGE IS HIS 

52:42.933 --> 52:44.533
EMPLOYER FELT HE WAS 

52:44.533 --> 52:45.700
CONTRIBUTING AT LEAST THAT MUCH

52:45.700 --> 52:47.033
TO THE BOTTOM LINE.

52:47.033 --> 52:50.500
INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTIVITY, NOT 

52:50.500 --> 52:52.233
AGGREGATE PRODUCTIVITY.

52:52.233 --> 52:53.933
AGGREGATE PRODUCTIVITY, WE 

52:53.933 --> 52:55.667
SHOULD GET $15 AN HOUR.

52:55.667 --> 52:58.233
SOME OF US GET $50, SOME GET 

52:58.233 --> 53:00.367
$10, SOME GETS $7.75.

53:00.367 --> 53:01.600
THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE.

53:01.600 --> 53:07.067
IF YOU WANT TO ELIMINATE OR 

53:07.067 --> 53:10.267
ALLEVIATE POVERTY, YOU HAVE 

53:10.267 --> 53:11.900
TO -- GARRETT SAYING RAISING 

53:11.900 --> 53:15.300
THE MINIMUM WAGE IS A BAND-AID.

53:15.300 --> 53:18.533
THAT PRECISELY WHAT IT IS.

53:18.533 --> 53:20.033
BAND-AIDS HELP FOR AWHILE BUT 

53:20.033 --> 53:21.067
DON'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

53:21.067 --> 53:23.067
WE HAVE TO GET DOWN TO WHY TO 

53:23.067 --> 53:24.933
PEOPLE MAKE LESS THAN WHAT THEY

53:24.933 --> 53:25.867
SHOULD BE MAKING.

53:25.867 --> 53:28.733
THEY DON'T HAVE THE 

53:28.733 --> 53:30.767
PRODUCTIVITY, THE SKILLS, THEY 

53:30.767 --> 53:32.700
DON'T HAVE THE EDUCATION OR 

53:32.700 --> 53:33.567
EXPERIENCE.

53:33.567 --> 53:39.333
PUBLIC POLICY IN MY OPINION -- 

53:39.333 --> 53:41.033
>> I WANT TO ADD THAT AGAIN 

53:41.033 --> 53:42.767
WE'RE IGNORING THE INFLATIONARY

53:42.767 --> 53:46.133
IMPACT OF DOING THIS.

53:46.133 --> 53:47.733
THERE IS GOING TO BE A GREATER 

53:47.733 --> 53:49.067
COST OF GOODS AND SERVICES TO 

53:49.067 --> 53:51.900
THE CONSUMERS AS A RESULT OF 

53:51.900 --> 53:52.300
THIS.

53:52.300 --> 53:53.867
THESE COMPANIES THAT DAVE WAS 

53:53.867 --> 53:56.567
REFERRING TO, THEY DON'T ABSORB

53:56.567 --> 53:56.900
IT.

53:56.900 --> 53:58.100
THEY GO AND SEND IT ALONG TO 

53:58.100 --> 54:00.400
THE CONSUMER, AND THAT IS WHAT 

54:00.400 --> 54:02.100
CAUSES STATES THAT DO HAVE A 

54:02.100 --> 54:03.267
HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE TO HAVE A 

54:03.267 --> 54:04.800
HIGHER COST OF LIVING AS A 

54:04.800 --> 54:05.100
RESULT.

54:05.100 --> 54:05.800
>> UH-HMM.

54:05.800 --> 54:08.600
>> WE HAVE A LOW KOZ OF LIVING 

54:08.600 --> 54:09.867
RELATIVELY SPEAKING.

54:09.867 --> 54:13.500
WE ARE NOT NCESSARILY GOING TO

54:13.500 --> 54:14.700
BE BETTER OFF.

54:14.700 --> 54:16.100
>> WE HAVE ACTUALLY COME TO THE

54:16.100 --> 54:17.867
END OF THE SHOW.

54:17.867 --> 54:19.267
WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME.

54:19.267 --> 54:20.800
THIS GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT 

54:20.800 --> 54:22.200
THE DEBATE IS GOING TO BE LIKE 

54:22.200 --> 54:24.300
AT THE CAPITOL -- THERE ARE 14 

54:24.300 --> 54:26.000
BILLS ACTUALLY THAT DEAL WITH 

54:26.000 --> 54:27.000
THE MINIMUM WAGE.

54:27.000 --> 54:28.500
AND YOUR'S IS ONE OF THEM.

54:28.500 --> 54:29.800
WE ARE GOING TO FOLLOW THAT 

54:29.800 --> 54:30.800
VERY, VERY CLOSELY.

54:30.800 --> 54:31.933
THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR 

54:31.933 --> 54:32.667
BEING HERE.

54:32.667 --> 54:34.933
YOU HAVE GIVEN US A LOT OF 

54:34.933 --> 54:35.467
INFORMATION.

54:35.467 --> 54:36.567
AND THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AS 

54:36.567 --> 54:36.967
WELL.

54:36.967 --> 54:38.100
WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME FOR 

54:38.100 --> 54:38.800
THIS SEGMENT.

54:38.800 --> 54:40.367
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF 

54:40.367 --> 54:42.300
THE PANELISTS, REPRESENTATIVE 

54:42.300 --> 54:44.300
DIXON, DR. HEBERT, MR. GRAY AND

54:44.300 --> 54:46.667
MR. PATTERSON FOR THEIR 

54:46.667 --> 54:48.333
INSIGHTS ON THIS MONTH'S TOPIC.

54:48.333 --> 54:49.800
WHEN WE COME BACK, WE WILL HAVE

54:49.800 --> 54:51.200
A FEW CLOSING COMMENTS.

54:51.200 --> 54:58.167
SO STAY TUNED.

54:58.167 --> 55:00.167
>>> SHAUNA, I THINK WE HAD A 

55:00.167 --> 55:01.600
PREVIEW OF, AS YOU SAID, OF 

55:01.600 --> 55:03.267
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AT THE 

55:03.267 --> 55:04.167
CAPITOL PERHAPS.

55:04.167 --> 55:04.900
>> YEAH.

55:04.900 --> 55:05.933
GREAT, GREAT DISCUSSION FROM 

55:05.933 --> 55:07.367
OUR AUDIENCE AND FROM THE 

55:07.367 --> 55:08.600
PANELISTS AND YOU CAN TELL THIS

55:08.600 --> 55:09.900
IS AN ISSUE THAT PEOPLE ARE 

55:09.900 --> 55:11.300
VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT.

55:11.300 --> 55:13.500
SOMETIMES IT CAN BE 

55:13.500 --> 55:14.000
CONTENTIOUS.

55:14.000 --> 55:15.033
I THINK TONIGHT WE LEARNED A 

55:15.033 --> 55:16.267
LOT FROM THE PANELISTS AND OUR 

55:16.267 --> 55:17.067
GUESTS AS WELL.

55:17.067 --> 55:18.567
>> WE LEARNED A LOT.

55:18.567 --> 55:20.133
I WILL LOOK AT ALL OF THE DATA 

55:20.133 --> 55:21.600
TO SEE HOW IT ALL PANS OUT.

55:21.600 --> 55:23.533
IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE SO MANY 

55:23.533 --> 55:24.333
WONDERFUL EXPERTS.

55:24.333 --> 55:26.233
THAT'S ALL OF THE TIME WE HAVE 

55:26.233 --> 55:28.300
FOR THIS EDITION OF "LOUISIANA 

55:28.300 --> 55:28.800
PUBLIC SQUARE."

55:28.800 --> 55:31.300
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT OUR 

55:31.300 --> 55:31.900
WEB SITE.

55:31.900 --> 55:34.567
WHILE THERE, TAKE THIS MONTH'S 

55:34.567 --> 55:35.300
SURVEY.

55:35.300 --> 55:36.433
EXTENDED INTERVIEW CLIPS AND 

55:36.433 --> 55:37.433
COMMENT ON TONIGHT'S SHOW.

55:37.433 --> 55:39.300
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU 

55:39.300 --> 55:40.467
LIKE WE DID LAST MONTH 

55:40.467 --> 55:41.833
FOLLOWING ENERGIES 

55:41.833 --> 55:43.100
ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT, AND 

55:43.100 --> 55:44.133
THAT WAS QUITE A SHOW.

55:44.133 --> 55:47.333
LYNN WRITES TO US, AAPPLAUD LPB

55:47.333 --> 55:48.733
FOR THIS EPISODE OF "LOUISIANA 

55:48.733 --> 55:49.433
PUBLIC SQUARE" WHICH WAS 

55:49.433 --> 55:51.733
HANDLED IN AN INFORMATIVE, 

55:51.733 --> 55:52.933
BALANCED MANNER.

55:52.933 --> 55:54.600
RYAN WRITES, GREAT SHOW ON A 

55:54.600 --> 55:56.133
VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC.

55:56.133 --> 55:57.467
WHILE LOUISIANA'S OIL AND GAS 

55:57.467 --> 55:59.200
COMPANIES ARE VITAL FOR 

55:59.200 --> 56:00.267
GOOD-PAYING JOBS THEY MUST BE 

56:00.267 --> 56:02.467
FORCED TO COMPLY WITH OUR 

56:02.467 --> 56:03.400
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

56:03.400 --> 56:05.867
BRIAN WRITES, THERE IS ROOM FOR

56:05.867 --> 56:08.067
A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP.

56:08.067 --> 56:09.733
TOO MANY FOLKS SAY IT IS EITHER

56:09.733 --> 56:11.467
JOBS OR THE ENVIRONMENT.

56:11.467 --> 56:14.100
BOTH ARE NECESSARY AND BOTH CAN

56:14.100 --> 56:16.833
BE PROTECTED AND ADVANCED.

56:16.833 --> 56:18.133
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

56:18.133 --> 56:22.700
>>> PROPOSED BILL -- JINDAL 

56:22.700 --> 56:23.833
ADMINISTRATION SAYS THAT THE 

56:23.833 --> 56:24.867
NUMBER OF STATE CONTRACTS IS 

56:24.867 --> 56:27.000
ALREADY BEING REDUCED AND THE 

56:27.000 --> 56:28.767
BIGGEST ONES PROVIDE ESSENTIAL 

56:28.767 --> 56:29.400
SERVICES.

56:29.400 --> 56:31.667
HOW COST EFFECTIVE ARE 

56:31.667 --> 56:32.500
PRIVATIZATION EFFORTS WITH 

56:32.500 --> 56:33.900
OUTSIDE VENDORS AND HOW 

56:33.900 --> 56:35.167
NECESSARY ARE THE MAJORITY OF 

56:35.167 --> 56:36.767
THESE CONTRACTS?

56:36.767 --> 56:37.867
"LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE" 

56:37.867 --> 56:39.833
EDUCATES VIEWERS NEXT MONTH ON 

56:39.833 --> 56:41.667
STATE CONTRACTS 101.

56:41.667 --> 56:42.800
SHOULD BE VERY INTERESTING.

56:42.800 --> 56:43.833
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

56:43.833 --> 56:44.900
AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

56:44.900 --> 56:50.100
>> GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE.

57:19.600 --> 57:21.367
>> FOR A COPY OF THIS PROGRAM, 

57:21.367 --> 57:26.967
CALL 1-800-973-7246 OR GO 

57:26.967 --> 57:32.000
ONLINE TO WWW.lpb.org.

57:34.167 --> 57:36.067
>> SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM IS 

57:36.067 --> 57:39.500
PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION FOR 

57:39.500 --> 57:40.733
EXCELLENCE IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC 

57:40.733 --> 57:42.900
BROADCASTING.