SPECIAL

Senate rejects proposal to raise minimum wage

Web posted February 14, 1998

 Senate rejects parole proposal

By Lawrence Viele
Morris News Service

ATLANTA -- A Democratic proposal to hike the state minimum wage to the federal standard failed in the Senate on Friday, with many Democrats and the state's labor chief saying they didn't know who would benefit from the measure.

A Republican amendment to repeal the state minimum wage died along with the proposal by state Sen. Floyd Griffin, D-Milledgeville, who is running for lieutenant governor.

``People in this state should have a livable wage,'' Mr. Griffin said.

The wage is now $3.25 an hour. The federal hourly minimum is $5.15, and probably 99.5 percent of Georgians working are covered by that standard, said Department of Labor spokesman Sam Hall.

Senate President Pro Tem Sonny Perdue, D-Bonaire, was one of many Democrats who voted against the measure.

``I don't know who this affects,'' Mr. Perdue said.

Sen. Jack Hill, D-Reidsville, said he believed most migrant farm workers are covered under the federal requirement.

``I don't think most people know there is a state minimum wage,'' Mr. Hill said.

A letter to Mr. Griffin from newly appointed Commissioner of Labor Marti Fullerton stated the Labor Department does not have up-to-date statistics on who would be affected, nor has the department enforced the law.

``We have no records of receiving complaints about the law ...'' the letter said.

Republican Sen. Ed Boshears of Brunswick argued against repealing the wage requirement proposed by Sen. Don Balfour, R-Lilburn. He said it was an important law to retain in case anyone was still covered by it.

``The worst that could ever happen is for you to go home and some poor woman comes up who is a domestic worker and says `I'm still paid less,''' Mr. Boshears said.