Bill Would Increase Michigan's Minimum Wage to $10 an Hour

Legislation aimed at increasing Michigan's minimum wage to $10 an hour over three years has gained favor locally by editors of the Oakland Post at Oakland University, but might have a harder time getting approval from state Republicans.

The bill, which would raise the current minimum wage in Michigan from $7.40 per hour, is sponsored by Democratic Reps. John Switalski of Warren and Rashida Tlaib of Detroit, the Associated Press reported. However, the AP reports the measures have not been embraced by Michigan's GOP leaders, who say hiking the wage rate would hurt employers' ability to hire people.

In an editorial last week, editors of the student-run Oakland Post argued the state's minimum wage does not provide enough funds for basic living costs.

"A worker who clocks 40 hours a week for 52 weeks a year will make about $15,080 — and that’s before taxes," the editorial indicated. "To live comfortably, the average person needs $20,194 between food, shelter and other basic life necessities, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. It just doesn’t add up."

Michigan's minimum wage last saw an increase in 2008.

Should Michigan's minimum wage be increased? Tell us in the comments.