HomeMy Public PortalAboutr 05:304
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No.
#05-304
Dille or AdoplionOCTOBER 27, 2005
A RESOLUTION URGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO RAISE THE
FEDERAL HOURLY MINIMUM WAGE
WHEREAS, the recent devastation imposed by Hurricane Katrina along the gulf coast
region ofthe United States has focused the world's attention on that portion of Americans
hardest hit by the tragedy; and
WHEREAS, it has become painfully clear to the world that a large portion of Americans
live below the poverty line and are unable to afford even the basic necessities of life,
including decent housing, food, clothing and means of transportation; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the poverty felt by scores of Americans in the Gulf Coast
region, Hurricane Katrina left their families devastated, homeless, lost, alone and helpless
because of insufficient recourses while others who enjoy economic success were able to
escape the wrath of Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, the poverty felt by Americans in the Gulf Coast region resulted in the death
of thousands of fellow Americans simply because they could not afford to escape from
the path of destruction; and
WHEREAS, it is clear that the economic state of these fellow Americans could have
easily been improved if the federal hourly minimum wage had been raised above $5.15,
where it has been since at least 1999; and
WHEREAS, the current federal poverty guidelines for a family of four is $18,850,
meaning that a hard working American who works full-time earning the minimum wage
of $5.15 an hour makes approximately $10,300 a year, or roughly $8,550 below the
federal poverty guideline; and
WHEREAS, rapid inflation, increases in the cost of living and a decrease in the dollar's
buying power has made it increasingly difficult for low-wage earners to provide even the
most basic necessities for their families including the ability to escape trom natural
disasters such as Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey, and several other states, have recognized this
inequity and have adopted legislation to raise the minimum hourly wage to $7.15 over the
next two years; and
WHEREAS, the federal government should take steps to enact federal legislation to raise
the federal hourly minimum wage so that all Americans can afford at least the basic
necessities of life and perhaps avoid the next natural disaster by being able to leave the
affected area;
NO. 05-304
PAGE ~ of 2
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED on this 2ih day of October, 2005 by the
Borough ofCarteret, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, that:
1. The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Carteret hereby strenuously urge
President George W. Bush, Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Jon Corzine
And Congressman Rush Holt to take immediate steps to introduce, adopt and
sign' into law a bill raising the federal hourly minimum wage to $7.15 so
that all Americans, not just Americans economically well-off, can afford
and/or escape from future disasters like Hurricane Katrina.
2. The federal government should also establish a method to annually evaluate
the federal hourly minimum wage to ensure that it keeps pace with the
eeonomic conditions of the time, making adjustments to the federal hourly
minimum wage as appropriate thereafter.
3. A certified copy ifthis resolution be sent to President George W. Bush,
Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Jon Corzine, Congressman Robert
Menendez, the U.S. Department of Labor and the New Jersey State League of
Municipalities.
Adopted this 27th day of October, 2005 and
certified as a true copy of the original on
October 28th, 2005.
KATHLEEN M. BARNEY, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
LINDA A. RIVERA,
Assistant Municipal Clerk
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RECORD OF COUNCIL VOTE
COUNCILMAN YES NO NY A.B. COUNCILMAN YES NO NY A.B.
BELLINO X NAPLES X
-
DIAZ X RIDS X
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KRUM X SITARZ X
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x - Indicate Vote AB - Absent NY - Not Voting XOR - Indieatcs Vote [0 Overrule Veto
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Adopted at a meeting of the Municipal Council 2005
Qç...t.ober 27,
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CLERK