Will Slick Rick Flip On the Minimum Wage?

As Americans mark the 10th Anniversary of the last time Congress raised the federal minimum wage, Pennsylvania Republican Senator Rick Santorum must choose between two of his most extreme, out of touch positions.

Senator Santorum has consistently voted against raising the minimum wage--including as recently as June 21--despite the fact that almost seven million Americans would benefit from increasing it. But, last weekend, the Bush Republicans leading the House of Representatives linked a minimum wage increase to the elimination of the estate tax, which would benefit just 8,200 of the wealthiest Americans—another of Senator Santorum’s consistent priorities. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 8/1/2006; Vote 179: S 2766, 6/21/06]

Now that Senator Santorum must choose between his consistent efforts to block a minimum wage increase and his desire to end the estate tax, the people of Pennsylvania are wondering which way he’ll go. Will he flip-flop on the minimum wage to support a $735 billion tax break for the wealthy?

Deciding which right wing priority to advance may pose a difficult choice for Santorum, but not for Pennsylvania's working families. Because Republicans have blocked Democratic efforts to increase the minimum wage for nine years now, a minimum wage worker working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, earns only $10,700 a year--a stark $5,000 below the poverty line for workers with families. [Associated Press, 7/29/2006]

"The people of Pennsylvania want to know which part of Rick Santorum's right wing agenda he will choose this week," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "Will he once again deny millions of working families a minimum wage increase, or will he join the House Republicans in putting partisanship ahead of working families by converting a bill to increase the minimum wage into an election year stunt to give tax breaks to their wealthy friends and provide political cover for vulnerable Republicans?

"Pennsylvania's working families deserve better than gimmicks and cheap political tricks. Instead of linking relief for America's working families to tax breaks for the richest few, Senator Santorum should join Democrats in fighting for a straight up or down vote on the minimum wage. Democrats offer a new direction for America, where hard work is respected, and increasing the minimum wage and ensuring a secure retirement are top priorities."