$15 an hour minimum wage is OK in places like Seattle

There are groups calling for an increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour. I support workers in Seattle receiving $15 an hour because it costs a lot to live in Seattle because government taxes King County residents for everything from public transit to a new sea wall, expansion of light rail and parks.

Look at the cost for car tabs in Seattle. It’s ridiculous how much King County taxes residents; they can’t afford to live in Seattle. So yes, citizens in King County deserve a $15 minimum wage.

This $15 an hour is spreading to other counties. You cannot make a fast food job a $15 an hour job because people will not pay $12 for a hamburger. For some individuals $15 an hour would mean they lose state support, and that support is worth more than $15 an hour.

That’s why some individuals choose not to work full time to keep government subsidies that are very generous and discourage them individuals from working more hours.

If I were a small business owner and government told me I had to pay $15 an hour I would relocate and move out of the county or shut down. Small businesses need all the capital they can muster for expansion. You can’t make every job a $15 an hour job. Be realistic.

Olympia

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "$15 an hour minimum wage is OK in places like Seattle."