Min. Wage Update (Can You Believe the U.S. Senate Still Hasn’t Passed It?)

The AFL-CIO explains that the Senate has voted for cloture of the filibuster on a bill that would raise the minimum wage with many tax perks for businesses. It seems likely that when the Senate votes on the bill itself that it will pass and move onto conference with the U.S. House.

The Washington Post has an editorial decrying the pairing of tax breaks and the minimum wage raise. 

Worship Service at Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church

This morning I had a wonderful preaching experience at the Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church. I love preaching for small congregations and Melrose epitomized the reasons why. The white rectangle sanctuary was intimate. The congregation was enthusiastic during the service and friendly afterwards. And this is singing congregation! The hymns were filled with spirit.

In the sermon, I shared some stories from my experience teaching this past semester and reflections on the recent street violence in Boston.

Following the service, I met Rebecca Mooney, a congregant at Melrose and the Program Director of the Melrose Alliance Against Violence. MAAV takes a holistic approach to violence prevention, working both on domestic violence issues and dating violence among teens. They also have Youth Site on teen mental health.

Senate Rejects Minimum Wage Raise Without Tax Cuts for Businesses

The proposal to raise the minimum wage without cutting taxes for businesses has been defeated in the U.S. Senate. Opponents of the bill filibustered. On January 24, a vote was taken on whether or not to end the filibuster and force a vote on the legislation. Only 54 senators voted in favor of cloture (ending the filibuster) and so the legislation has died.

Now the Senate is considering another proposal to raise the minimum wage, this time with tax-cuts for businesses. As the AFL-CIO explains, this is based on--and perpetuates--the false idea that businesses need tax cuts in order to afford a wage raise.

The Senate is expected to pass minimum wage legislation that includes business tax breaks, probably within a week. However, before any minimum wage legislation can go to President Bush for his approval or his veto, the Senate and House versions must be brought into agreement.

The New York Times predicts that this could be "deadlock" at that point in the process, as a key House leader (Rep. Charles Rangel, chairman of the House Ways and Means committee) is holding firm for a minimum wage increase without business tax breaks.