Our
small business community is facing a devastating ballot initiative in November, and you may not even be aware of it. Proposition 206 would increase the minimum wage in Arizona by 49%, and mandate paid sick leave on even our smallest businesses.
Arizona's economy was one of the worst-hit in the country during the recession, and we're just now getting our jobs back. Why would we hit small businesses with big new costs and regulations now, just when we're starting to recover?
Prior to leading our Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I owned a chain of gasoline stations and convenience stores in Southern Arizona. Most of my workers were at minimum wage or slightly above. If this had taken effect while I was operating my stores, I would have immediately cut back on the hours that I was open and stopped expanding my chain. Many retailers will face the same dilemma. Fast food restaurant owners in other states where minimum wage has been dramatically increased are exploring the use of automation rather than workers. Others have passed along the cost of doing business to the consumers charging inflationary prices on their goods and services so they can remain in business.
I understand that at first glance this may sound like a good idea. How better to impact the economic conditions of our poorest residents? However, the reality is that
if passed, Proposition 206 will hurt the very Arizonans that the initiative's proponents claim to want to help.
Forcing such a drastic increase from $8.05 to $12.00 an hour on our small businesses in
this "one-size-fits-all" approach to wages is unfair.
Our chamber recently surveyed our members on the effect on their business of a 49% increase in the minimum wage. The overwhelming message we heard that it was too much too soon following the recent recession.
Proposition 206 would leave our small business community with no good options.
We heard projections from our member small businesses that
the dramatic increase will force many businesses to reduce employee hours and staff levels, stop hiring or, as we've seen in other places that have instituted dramatic mandated wage hikes, close altogether.
In addition, at $12 an hour they would focus on hiring more experienced workers instead of high school or college students.
The minimum wage is for entry level jobs. Young people have to start somewhere, but one economic study says up to 75,000 Arizonans won't get hired if the minimum wage is raised too sharply.
The
national and local
economy is still fragile, which makes Proposition 206 incredibly risky. Prop. 206 will lead to fewer jobs and fewer opportunities for hardworking Arizona families.
Earlier this month the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and our Tucson Hispanic Chamber announced the
formation of Protecting Arizona Jobs - No on 206, a committee that
opposes
Proposition 206. Please join the Tucson Hispanic Chamber on voting NO on Prop 206. The
effort to defeat this job-killing bill
will take every one of us speaking up and talking about the e
ffect on our businesses. Business owners:
we cannot sit idly by and just deal with the ramifications after the election. Join our effort by signing up today
on our website at
http://www.protectazjobs.com
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Lea Marquez Peterson is the President/CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber which serves over 1800 businesses in our bilingual and bicultural region. She is the Chair of the Protect Arizona Jobs - No on 206 Campaign.
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