The cost of doing business in New Jersey could go up yet again if the minimum wage goes to $15 an hour. That’s almost double from the $8.38 per hour it is right now in New Jersey. Can you name any business that nearly doubled salary without any more money coming in that survived? I love how politicians, who live off your taxes and contributions, get to tell businesses how to spend their money. I see the great job they do running that shop called “The State Of New Jersey.”

I’d love to see a reality show where politicians take over a New Jersey “mom and pop shop” business and make it work. Heck, I’d love to see a reality show where politicians work.

The arguments have been made by the earners that they need the  to survive in New Jersey as well as the businesses that say if it goes through they can’t survive.

As someone who has owned four different businesses in New Jersey, I can tell you that if you’re paying minimum wage, most times you’re struggling to survive. When you get a good worker, you’ll want to keep them by either giving them more money or promoting them. My problem with the higher wages is that the lazy or entitled workers who contribute very little will also make $15 dollars an hour. I’ve had both working for me.

How will business combat the increase? By eliminating jobs, cutting hours, leaving the state, or going out of business. Wendy’s will make self serving kiosks available by the end of the year. Small businesses will think twice before adding that amount to their payroll. If hours and or jobs are cut, the workload will increase for those who are left.

Minimum wage may at one time have been intended to be a living wage but it’s not anymore. Even if it were, $15 an hour is still not a living wage and there are certain jobs that were never meant to earn a living.

How about instead of worrying about the minimum wage, we work on bringing down the cost of living in New Jersey so that those who earn less money can afford a better lifestyle that they can create themselves?

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