The issue of raising the minimum wage is often viewed, mistakenly, as a solution to poverty. 

Proponents of such legislation, like my opponent Jason Knight, claim doing so will allow the working poor to rise from poverty and allow them to afford housing, food, and other basic expenses. This could not be further from the truth.

The purpose of entry level jobs is to allow people to enter the workforce, build a work history, and acquire skills that will allow them to advance, and 70 percent of these low skill workers do so. These were never meant to be “breadwinner” jobs that could support a family. 

Arbitrarily raising the minimum wage can only do harm. Employers will be forced to make a decision between over-paying an employee or eliminating positions altogether. The result is the removal of the entry level/low skill jobs, increased unemployment and further widening the gap between the working poor and what is left of the middle class. Automation will become more common and taxpayers will bear the burden, as dependency on welfare programs will increase.

I stand firmly against such a move, and for logical, sound, economic policy. Rhode Island's economic recovery depends on it.

Daryl Gould

Warren

Mr. Gould is a Libertarian running for the RI House, District 67 seat.