Advocates are pointing out a growing discrepancy between the state’s mandated minimum wage for its employees and the minimum wage required for all other workers. This disparity indicates that it may be time to consider increasing the state’s minimum wage rate.
From July 1 onwards, it is mandatory for all state employees to receive a minimum wage of $12.41 per hour, or an annual salary of $25,820. This increase has been enforced due to a law passed in 2009 that calls for state employees to earn a salary equivalent to the amount established in the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household comprising three individuals. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services has released a statement in this regard.
According to experts, although the increase is necessary to support state employees, the little-known state law underscores the increasing gap between Oklahoma’s stagnant minimum wage of $7.25 per hour and the amount a family of three requires to maintain a decent standard of living in the state.
Lawmakers have recently permitted the minimum wage for state government workers to increase, but they remain reluctant to elevate the overall rate for the general public. Despite growing demands, lawmakers still support the 2014 law which prohibits cities and towns in Oklahoma from increasing their own wages beyond the state rate.
According to Sen. George Young, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, the federal poverty measure that the state utilizes to determine its salaries should be extended to cover non-state employees in Oklahoma.
He posed the question, “If we believe that state employees deserve a salary increase, why wouldn’t we also believe that others deserve one too?”
According to supporters, the petition to increase the minimum wage has gained twice the number of necessary signatures to be included on the ballot.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the minimum wage in thirty states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia is higher than the federal minimum. Out of these, seven states pay their employees $15 or more per hour. Additionally, neighboring states such as New Mexico, Colorado, Missouri, and Arkansas also offer wages higher than the federal minimum.
As he prepares to step down from his post later this year, Young has put forth several bills aimed at boosting wages, ranging from a gradual hike to establishing a $15 hourly minimum. However, none of these proposals were successfully passed.
He said that an increase would give a boost to Oklahoma’s economy, like a shot in the arm.
As minimum wage for state employees increases, advocates work to get state question on ballot
According to a spokesperson for Gov. Kevin Stitt, the governor firmly believes in the power of the free market to determine wages, rather than relying on government intervention.
According to her, Governor Stitt has limited control over the minimum wage for state employees due to a 2009 law. This law, established by former Governor Brad Henry, links the minimum wage of state employees to the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
According to Amber England, a representative of Raise the Wage Oklahoma, it has been a whopping 15 years since the minimum wage has been increased for all citizens of Oklahoma.
According to her, witnessing progress being made within state government is a positive development.
According to England, there is a recognition that the minimum wage should be increased. He expressed his delight that the employees who have devoted their careers to public service will finally receive a pay raise.
The state of England has been working towards the inclusion of State Question 832 in the upcoming ballot. This question aims to raise the minimum wage to $9 per hour by 2025, with a further increase to $15 per hour by 2029. With overwhelming support, the measure has garnered almost twice the required number of signatures to ensure its place on the ballot.
England expressed hope that the current campaign, along with the proposed increase, would serve as a wake-up call to lawmakers to acknowledge their disconnect with the common people of Oklahoma. He urged them to step up and take measures to uplift the wage rates in the state.
According to a statement from a spokeswoman for the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the minimum wage for state employees in 2023 was $11.95 per hour. It is customary for the poverty level to be adjusted annually, and as a result, the minimum pay rate for state government workers also changes accordingly.
The minimum wage increase will have an impact on twenty-nine state employees including housekeepers, custodians, and customer service representatives.
According to Gabriela Ramirez-Perez, a policy analyst at the Oklahoma Policy Institute, approximately 200,000 residents of Oklahoma, which accounts for nearly 5% of the total population, receive wages that are at or slightly above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
According to her, individuals belonging to the people of color community receive significantly lesser wages as compared to white Oklahomans. Similarly, women are also paid less than men.
Ramirez-Perez stated that increasing the minimum wage floor would be a crucial step towards tackling the issue. “It may not solve the problem entirely, but it would certainly play a significant role in boosting the overall situation,” she said.
The Oklahoma business association, State Chamber, has issued a statement in response. However, the comment they provided failed to address the issue at hand.
According to a statement by Gene Blankenship, the deputy director of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association, state employees have not received an “across-the-board” pay raise since 2019.
Blankenship emphasized that the existing wages fall short of fulfilling the fundamental requirements of numerous citizens, and the increasing gap between salaries and the cost of living endangers the state’s labor force. He further added that it is crucial for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to join hands and devise effective strategies to boost wages, enhance living standards, and pave the way for a more thriving future for all Oklahoma residents.
Oklahoma Voice is a member of the States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network that is backed by grants and a group of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. While maintaining its editorial independence, Oklahoma Voice is committed to providing unbiased news to its readers. For any queries, please contact Editor Janelle Stecklein at [email protected]. Stay updated with the latest news by following Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.
Advocates are calling for all Oklahomans to receive the same minimum wage increase that state workers have received. The Oklahoman reported on this issue, noting that state workers recently received a wage increase, but many other workers in the state are still earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Advocates argue that this is not a livable wage and that all workers in the state should be paid a fair and livable wage. They are pushing for legislation that would raise the minimum wage for all Oklahomans.
