Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer criticized State Representative Rick Baxter (R-Concord) today after Baxter told a Lansing newsletter that the “worst day†of his first term was when the State Legislature approved raising the minimum wage.
“Rick Baxter’s comments are despicable and an insult to our hard working families in Jackson County and throughout the state,†said Brewer. “The minimum wage increase will help thousands of working families. Even Republican House Speaker Craig DeRoche realized the benefits and voted to increase the minimum wage. Baxter’s comments show Jackson County and the entire state just how out-of-touch he is with our working families. Jackson deserves someone in office who understands the people and Baxter is not that person.â€
In the July 6th issue of the Lansing-based newsletter MIRS, Baxter was asked about his worst day in the Legislature. He said, “Quite honestly — I'm sure my party will hit me for this — the worst day was when we passed the minimum wage. That was one of those days when I sat back and thought, this day will never come while we're in power. That's pretty easy as far as the worst.â€
After tireless pressure from Democrats and the public, the Legislature passed the minimum wage increase raising it to $7.40 an hour by July 2008. That’s up from the current $5.15 an hour, which is the federal rate passed in 1997 and has been unchanged since.
