I am writing to express my opinion that the minimum wage in Utah should be raised in order to reflect the cost of living in this state. Utah adheres to the federal minimum wage of 7.25$/hour, which has not changed since 2009. Since 2009, the cost of living has increased dramatically.
The average cost of living in Utah is $43,000/year. In a single-income household making minimum wage, a 40-hour work week would yield a yearly gross income of $13,920.00. This situates people in this position well below the federal poverty line of $30,000.00/year and does not even reflect enough monthly income to rent a one-bedroom apartment in Salt Lake County. 8.3% of Utahns live below the federal poverty line, with 77,609 of these individuals being children under the age of 17.
Although it is relatively uncommon to be actually paid minimum wage in Utah, many workers are making less than 17$/hour which is yielding an annual gross income of $32,640.00, situating them just above the federal poverty line but still well below being able to meet the demands of the average cost of living in the state.
Utah reflects one of the largest gaps between minimum wage and cost of living in the country, and low wages disproportionately impact single parents.
I believe that raising the minimum wage would not only improve the quality of life for Utahns living at or below the poverty line, but for all of us. We are only as strong as our most vulnerable community members, and in a state with minimal worker protections, it is imperative that we permit the wage earning workforce the opportunity to thrive.
If you find it challenging to empathize with or understand the position of impoverished Utahns, I would encourage you to consider the forces at play in your own life that protect you from identifying with people struggling to survive.
Claire Pennell, Salt Lake City