Letter to Jeanie Forrester, State Senator and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee of New Hampshire - Support for Raising the Minimum Wage

Letter

Dear Madam Chair and members of the Senate Finance Committee:

I write in support of Senate Bill 261, relative to establishing a state minimum wage. Individuals working full-time in New Hampshire should be able to earn enough to pull themselves above the federal-poverty threshold and support their families, but for too long, wages have failed to grow with the cost of our families' needs. By restoring and increasing New Hampshire's minimum wage, we can improve the economic security of thousands of Granite Staters.

As you know, New Hampshire's minimum wage was last increased six years ago in 2008, and in 2011, the Legislature repealed the state minimum wage law altogether. Restoring and increasing the minimum wage will have a ripple effect on wages higher up the pay scale, while supporting businesses and encouraging job creation by putting more money in the pockets of consumers so that they can buy goods and services.

In order to truly accelerate our economic growth, working families and individuals must be confident in their own financial circumstances and able to purchase more goods and services. Increasing New Hampshire's minimum wage will strengthen the financial security of working families and wages up and down the pay scale, and by restoring this important protection, we can take a critical step forward for our economy and for hard-working Granite Staters.

Thank you for your consideration.

With every good wish,

Margaret Wood Hassan
Governor

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