Minimum Wage Challenge for Elected Officials

Written by: Jane Luttrell on Jun 29, 2006 10:19 AM EDT

Will Andrews
For State Senate
District 22
MEDIA RELEASE
June 28, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Will Andrews
(405) 426-5667
wandrews@sbcglobal.net
www.willandrews2006.com

Andrews Supports Challenge Urging Lawmakers to Live on Minimum Wage

EDMOND -- Responding to a challenge by a Yukon candidate for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Senate candidate Will Andrews agreed that Oklahoma lawmakers should try living on minimum wage until they vote to increase minimum wage and help Oklahoma's working families.

"I heard about the challenge Carol Ruth issued to legislators, asking them to try to live on the poverty wages provided by a minimum wage job, and I support it wholeheartedly," said Andrews, who is running for Senate District 22, which includes Yukon, El Reno, Kingfisher, Cashion, Okarche, Hennessey, Loyal and the community of Deer Creek.

Carol Ruth is seeking the District 41 seat in the House of Representatives.

"In addition, to reducing lawmakers' wages to minimum wage, I think they should be willing to forego the additional pay they get in the form of a per diem allowance," Andrews said.

Oklahoma's lawmakers make a base salary of more than $38,000. They also receive additional money in the form of $103 for each day the Legislature is in session.

"Our legislators say they understand how hard it is for working Oklahomans, but they can pay more for lunch than many Oklahomans make for a full day's work."

"If our legislators really want to show how much respect they have for the working men and women of Oklahoma, they will, as a group, agree to reduce their own wages."

Minimum wage has not increased since the federal minimum wage was set at $5.15 an hour in 1997. Twenty states, including Arkansas have raised minimum wage at the state level. A proposed minimum wage increase was defeated in the Oklahoma legislature by a single vote.

"More than three-fourths of Oklahomans support increasing the minimum wage, but it seems that less than half of our legislators listen to their constituents," Andrews said.

"Even in a two-parent family where both parents earn minimum wage, their combined income isn't enough to put them above poverty level. That's not just a shame," he said, "that's immoral."

A native of the Deer Creek area, Will Andrews grew up in single-parent household.

"I watched my mother work two jobs and go to school and try to provide for two kids. At the time, I didn't appreciate the sacrifices she made. Now, as a parent, I understand."

"I was the first one in my family to graduate from college. My mother made those sacrifices because she wanted better for her children. Unfortunately, no matter what sacrifices they make, a lot of Oklahoma parents will never be able to help their children realize the same dream."

For more information, contact Will Andrews at (405) 426-5667 or wandrews@sbcglobal.net.
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www.WillAndrews2006.com


Paid for by Andrews for State Senate 2006

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Location: Oklahoma City, OK 73105