I think it should

Raising minimum wage prior to market forces raising them is not a good idea. This will simply add to the number of unemployed, making it more difficult for the poor and lower-middle class in MA, not easier.

This will also substantially increase prices in a number of markets. It's not a good idea, economically.

"future annual increases to be tied to the rate of inflation"

I don't see how this can fail to "fuel inflation".

"an engine for economic growth across the country"

It is difficult to see how an increase in costs, not accompanied by increased productivity, contributes to growth.

This is just a nonsense statement thrown in because it sounds good. I noticed the same yesterday when Hillary declared that gays should be entitled to marry "just like any other citizen". Marriage is not tied to citizenship in any way, non-citizens can marry here. It just sounded good.

Yes, definitely, and future annual increases should to be tied to the rate of inflation. Business owners should not be allowed to make profits 'on the backs' of their employees and they should not be allowed to exploit uneducated and poor people. Furthermore, businesses will benefit from a workforce that has adequate housing, food, and clothing - things that will be more possible if that workforce is paid an adequate wage. It amazes me that some of the citizens of this country and members of congress who DO NOT support an increase in the minimum wage tied to inflation, DO support subsidies to wealthy oil companies and large and prosperous farm corporations. The difference is that large corporations can pay lobbyists and make large campaign contributions and minimum wage earners cannot. It is up to socially-minded legislators and local citizenry to stand up for the right of minimum wage-earners to be paid a living wage.

"This country was built on the promise that hard work pays off; that economic mobility isn't determined by where you're born or what you start with but by the effort you're willing to put in to get ahead."
Or rely on the family name to get ahead. Right Joe?

No! Leave it were it is! This will only burden business. This will put skilled educated people that worked hard to get some marketable skills and put them in the same league as the highschool kid standing around at the Gap. This is wrong! If you want to get ahead make yourself marketable. I don't care where you came from or what help you had getting started in life. I have been on my own since I was a teenager. nobody gave me anyting. I realized that and have made a good life for myself. Upping the minimum wage is more foster care for the lazy! but Joe doesn't know what a real job is anyway so what ever he does is based upon his surreal life! surprise people. We are all not going to live equal. Some have more, some have less! If you want us to all be equal then you believe in communism. And that means equal misery for all! Stop listening to these super rich Democratic leaders that are so out of touch with reality that they could be from mars! And as we know there is no intelligent life on mars!

Leave it where it is, Minimum wage is not meant to be a full time gig. Minimum wage should be the base pay for part time kids or the 1st few weeks/months of a real job.If your not worth more to your employer then your in the wrong field.If we had to pay 10 bucks an hour to the kid who sweeps up we will all be out of business soon.

So you agree Scott? lol

I'm glad Joe Kennedy is our Rep. in Congress and not those putting out lies like those above. Steve Scott, I hope you never have to live on minimum wage and get food from food pantries and do without your meds, etc. etc. Have you know imagination for what it's like??

Hey gretchen.I have Been poor. Lived on Ramen Noodles for years. Went without meds. Imagination. don't need it. Been there done that. Never took assistance from government. Never collected unemployment. But I did acquire skills started my own biz , Worked 80 hours per week. Still work 70 hours per week but I have a good life. I think you need be more careful before you make judgement. Please do you honestly think Joe Kennedy has any idea what to do in that office. The man does not know what a real job is. You are just another near sighted liberal with no clue what really goes on in government. Have you ever been poor Gretchen. I have. One poster said it correctly. Minimum wage is an temp wage. For school kids and new entry level jobs. If you want to make more earn some skills. Increasing this wage is going to hurt small business.

Oh and Kennedies never lie. Hmmm. Chappaquiddick, JFK and Marilyn Monroe. Patrick the controversial sleepwalker/driver. Joe senoir the bootlegger. Really Kennedies never Lie! What a ignorant statement.

Todd. I was poor as a kid.
I responded due to that comment: that minimum wage is a temporary wage.
That is not the reality. Not in an economy where people say, take any job and
work your way up.
I am glad you have a good life. I am glad that you made it, that hard work worked for you. I don't think minimum wage is working for our country. Maybe small businesses can be exempted.
My comment on "imagination" was to ask those who post what it's like for others who live in want despite a minimum wage job. I have worked intensively with familes. Went into homes both rich and poor, thousands of homes, saw the added hardships of the poor, what a hard-scrabble struggle people endure. I think this nation can do better by more people.

We need to start by getting people to be less dependent on the government. You cant have a society that is subsidized by those who do. It ultimately fails. The only solution is socialism that evolves to communism. We have socialism now or I wouldnt be paying taxes that pay for welfare. I fear the progression to communism. That is everyone being equal. equally miserable. Sorry but every coin has two sides. There will be affluence and poverty alike.If you really believe in what you say then every time you eat at a restuaraunt you should give your wait person a fifty percent tip. I actually do. How much do you give. If you can't afford that then stay home and cook! But lets not make it so high school kids are making the same money as a fifty year old stocking shelves at home depot. Do you believe these buisinesses are going to scale the wage tables. Think this thru. You are posing questions from a very safe place that you reside.

And I almost forgot. Many people need to do better for this nation. "Ask not what this country can do for you......"

Unfortunately in present day min wage jobs ARE full time jobs because there's nothing else out there. Min wage should absolutely be raised. most employers are NOT paying people what they are worth now a days because they know they can get away with it due to the dying job market. It is what it is, so we have to adjust. Employers expect at least $20 hr worth of work out of a 7.25 an hr job. It's not right and the way prices are rising on EVERYTHING it's the right thing to do. It will put a little more money in people's pockets which means they will spend more. IMO it will stimulate the economy. Not by a heck of a lot but its a start. Many older workers are being exploited and maybe this will make a difference. We have a true crisis on our hands and some seem to not want to approach it logically.

Maybe a student min wage should be considered?

Increasing the minimum wage regularly and based on the current economic conditions as Britain has done works. Check out this article from the economist on the subject http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21571894-president-proposes-hefty-increase-minimum-wage-trickle-up-economics

If you want to live in a Socialist economy, yes it does

i dont think this is a left or a right thing, this is for honest poor working class people

I read the Economist and it's valuable for covering the world's economies, for it's breadth and insights, far and away better than our magazines, here.
It is conservative in its stance and supports David Cameron and the conservatives in Britain against Labor which it is traditionally against. My friend taught Special Ed. in the worst part of the inner city in London for 5 years. She had two surgeries, never had to wait, her meds were paid for and she thrived there. Over here when she got back she was suddenly needy. Couldn't get a job and couldn't pay for her meds. All told your far better off being "honest poor working class" in England than here in US. USA isn't No. 1, you know. Most of us are in denial at how backward and ignorant we are about governance.

Tizzy
I stand by my statement that the Economist is conservative. So is Guardian UK.
Yes, your life is none of my business. But in commenting, I hold to the feminist maxim that "The personal is always political."