Senator Joyce Files Bill for Businesses to Pay Employees a Living Wage

Photo via BrianAJoyce.com

Senator Brian A. Joyce introduced a bill that would require employers, who receive at least $100,000 in assistance from the state, to pay their employees a living wage.

Joyce believes employees should be rewarded when employers make a significant investment in a corporation.

“It is unacceptable for a company to receive significant public investment while their employees look to the Commonwealth to help cover the basic living expenses when their paychecks fall short,” Joyce said in a press release. “The state should not be investing taxpayer dollars in businesses that are widening our state’s sizable income disparity.”

The Living Wage Bill would make the living wage at least $13.89 per hour in 2016. The wage would climb to at least $14 per hour by 2019 and would then be adjusted to inflation.

According to Living Wage Calculator, the living wage in Massachusetts is currently $11.31.

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Employers would not be allowed to reduce the health insurance, pension, vacation or other non-wage benefits of their employees to fund the increased wage.

Massachusetts has the fourth worst income in the country and the lowest income households in the state, those making less than $21,000 a year, are paying 9.5 percent towards state and local taxes. The highest income households, those making $700,000 or more a year, are paying 6 percent, according to a press release from Joyce’s office.

The release reported that in 1970, households in the 90th percentile had incomes five times larger than households in the 20th percentile and by 2010, the disparity had grown eight times larger.

Joyce was sworn into office on Wednesday, Jan. 7 to represent Easton in the Massachusetts Senate.

• Senator Joyce Takes Oath of Office

As senator, Joyce represents the taxpayers of Easton, Avon, Braintree, Canton, East Bridgewater, Milton, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton and West Bridgewater.