Idaho Minimum Wage Hike Sought

A grass-roots group of religious and human rights activists is hoping Idaho will join 19 other states next year and raise its minimum wage above the federal standard. The Raise Idaho coalition is circulating a ballot initiative calling for a 35 percent increase in Idaho’s minimum wage over the next three years, from $7.25 today to $8.10 in 2015, $8.95 in 2016 and $9.80 by 2017. If approved by voters, the measure would also require automatic cost-of-living increases in the minimum wage, beginning in 2019. “This is about human dignity,” said Raise Idaho spokeswoman Anne Nesse of Coeur d’Alene (pictured). “We think it’s a basic human right for someone to be able to earn enough (to pay for) nutritional food, shelter and transportation”/ William L. Spence , Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Is a graduated minimum wage increase that’ll reach $9.80 by 2017 unreasonable?