In an unsurprising move the Utah Legislature struck down HB117, a bill that would increase the state’s minimum wage to $10.25 an hour, with incremental increases to $12 an hour by 2022. As the cost of living continues to rise, the state Legislature has again shown more concern with bringing companies to Utah that will continue to exploit low corporate tax rates, while reaping millions in state tax incentives.
Bringing new companies to Utah means creating new jobs. However, the state is also in the midst of a labor shortage, a fact many of the bill’s opponents were quick to point out. So what good is available work if we have no one who wants the job? And if the wages offered are that great, why is no one applying?
Maybe because the wages being offered aren’t much higher than $7.25, and other states in the region advertise higher minimum wages than Utah’s employers are willing to pay. I mean, why make $7.25 in Utah when I can make $10.20 in Colorado? Utah needs workers, and one way to attract them is by providing a competitive, livable wage; something $7.25 is not.
Kyle Dumas, Taylorsville