Minimum Wage is Finally Catching up with the Economy Monday, January 05, 2009 By Elizabeth Sharkey [ArticleImageHyperLink] Advertising Thousands of workers were given a raise on January 1, 2009 as the Missouri minimum wage went up, 6 months before the federal wage increase. As our economy faces higher food and gas prices, for some Missourians this is a welcome increase.    As of January 1, the minimum wage in the state went up to $7.05, and students are excited.  Sophomore Sierra Pulliam, who currently works at Pizza Hut, states, " I'm excited [for the minimum wage to raise]. That is just more money in my pocket." Another Sophomore, Tyler Swinderman, agrees with Sierra on the minimum wage going up, but Junior Amber Yeager has a totally different opinion. Amber explained, "I do not agree with the minimum wage going up because I feel that the prices on everything will just go up which would make the economy even worse than it already is." Amber, who is sixteen and works two jobs (at the YMCA and Quail Run) still thinks the minimum wage increase won't help her. "If it goes up then everything else will, so what's the point?" states Amber.   While the  wage increase will add more money to the pockets of workers, the fear is this will spill over to the consumers making price increases even more unbearable. It is obviously an on-going debate among all concerned. For those keeping up with the cost of living, it's believed this is a much needed increase and has taken a long time to come to the voting poll.  Others argue the raise will generate at least $4.84 Billion dollar tax breaks for the small business and will also boost the economy, which will allow those below poverty level the ability to get above it. Our state is in a huge debt already. Missourians are already feeling the crunch from the higher cost of gasoline and food products across the board. State to state all consumers are tightening their wallets and making some kind of concession for the higher prices. While business' worry about making a margin of profit or losing their edge due to paying higher wages, it is yet to be seen if the higher wage will allow those affected to be able to afford what they couldn't before.   While all the hype is growing about the increase, only time will tell the true impact it will have for those affected with the increase and the consumers paying the higher prices.

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