Column: Miresse discusses minimum wage proposal, reminds voters of election dates

Column: Miresse discusses minimum wage proposal, reminds voters of election dates

Hello neighbors,

In 2009, the minimum wage was set at $7.25 per hour. In the 17 years since, consumer prices have risen by roughly 56%, while the state minimum wage has remained stagnant. Average costs for everyday necessities, such as food and fuel, continue to increase, creating significant financial strain for families across Wisconsin. In Portage County, a family of four with two working adults requires a household income of over $113,000 before taxes — or approximately $27 per hour per parent — to meet basic living expenses.

To address this issue, my Democratic colleagues and I introduced legislation earlier this session to raise the state minimum wage to $15 per hour. This change would align Wisconsin with neighboring states, including Illinois ($15 per hour), Michigan ($13.73 per hour), and Minnesota ($11.41 per hour).

The proposed legislation includes an annual increase of $1.25 per hour until the minimum wage reaches $20 per hour in 2030, after which it will be indexed to inflation. On Oct. 7, I hosted a Living Wage town hall with MASH President Peter Rickman to discuss why these adjustments ...