Discussion on a Living Wage

By Michael LaMarque

As you know, as part of a "grand bargain" bill passed in 2018, state lawmakers approved a provision to gradually raise the state's hourly minimum wage from $11 to $15 by 2023, essentially creating a "living wage" in Massachusetts (DeCosta-Klipa, 2019).

The fear is that the bigger picture is not being seen and that small businesses are not being considered in the fight to create a living wage in Massachusetts. Many small businesses cannot support a living wage. And if the businesses cannot support the wage, what does that mean?

It means a decline in overtime for employees who currently rely on more than a 40-hour work week. A company may be able to pay overtime at $19.13/hour but cannot support overtime at $22.50/hr or $25/hr. Employees in these situations may be making more an hour, but they will be taking home less in their checks.

How is a new business supposed to get off the ground if they can't afford to hire people to get the business going?

Michael LaMarque was born and raised in Holliston, MA. He attended Holliston High School and graduated with high honors. In high school, he was captain of the football team and played linebacker. He also played defense on the lacrosse team! He attended Bridgeton Academy for prep school, where he continued to play football. He also continued his academic excellence making the Dean's list. He later attended Quincy College, where he was on the Dean's list once again, and earned his Associates Degree in Natural Science. He went on to attend The University of Massachusetts Boston, where he again was on the Dean's list, and majored in Management.

Please enjoy the following links of Michael LaMarque;
MichaelLaMarqueBlog.com

MichaelLaMarque.com