The Minimum Wage in N.C is $7.25 an hour. Raising it to $9.00 would make a yearly salary of $18,720 (before taxes and no vacations). The poverty line for a family of three is $19,530. For someone working a 40-hour workweek this is just below the poverty line for a family of three.
Why is this important?
According to N.C. Justice Center: "Raising the minimum wage to $9.00 by 2015 would affect approximately 693,000 workers in North Carolina. More than 80 percent of these workers are over 20 years of age, and almost half of those who would be directly affected work full-time." The article also pointed out that this "raise" would be spent immediately on food and other necessities thereby helping the state economy. Our state needs help.
