Success in Indiana

By Nancy Holle
Community, Faith & Laobr Coalition, May 10 2007

Although raising state minimum wage was a popular issue with Hoosiers, a bill to raise the wage before a federal increase was given little chance of passage. The Senate Committee Chair even told the press he didn't believe in the concept of minimum wage. However, Community, Faith and Labor Coalition's campaign to help raise Indiana's minimum wage was a success. The coordinated campaign brought a strong message from a spectrum of Indiana faith leaders to the Senate Pension and Labor Committee to hear this important bill while thousands of citizens' "Help Hard-working Hoosiers" postcards were delivered to their state senators. 
 
We were pleased to add our voices to those who have long supported issues that would improve the lives of Indiana's working families. We applaud Rep. John Day, a true advocate and the primary sponsor for HB1027 which passed with strong bipartisan support after several amendments. The final bill mirrored the federal minimum wage law and will finally increase the state minimum wage as the federal minimum wage increases -- no longer requiring additional state action and the resulting time lag for workers covered by the state minimum wage. Governor Daniels has signed the bill. We now look for quick passage of the federal minimum wage increase.