Taking from the poor

MANIFESTO

U.S. home prices fell at an annualized 6.92% rate in the first quarter, according to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight's purchase-only quarterly index. This is the largest decline in the index's 17-year history.

Especially hard hit are such retirement nirvanas as Miami and Las Vegas.

Nevertheless, Governor Clubwoman

vetoed an increase in the state's hourly minimum wage Tuesday, inviting an election-year override attempt by the legislature's Democratic majority.

Rell said her veto was prompted by the weak economy, though the bill would not take effect until 2009. It would raise the $7.65 wage to $8 on Jan. 1 and to $8.25 in 2010.

"We cannot take a chance on hurting families or employers by signing another minimum wage increase into law at this time," Rell said in a written statement.

The governor has shown her lack of insight once again: It's been well established that a positive correlation between a higher minimum wage and employment exists. Thus, her argument that such an increase might hurt families is specious. Moreover, when a sixteen year old hamburger flipper is contributing to a family's total income, it's hard to see how raising his income could be harmful.

It's eminently possible that the state's Democratic legislators will try to overturn this callous veto.

Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams Jr., D-Brooklyn, said Rell overstated the harm to employers.

"We're not talking about putting the brakes on the Connecticut economy," Williams said. "We're talking about helping workers at the bottom rung of the salary scale."

"I'm disappointed Gov. Rell would deny a modest increase to our lowest-paid workers in tough economic times," House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden, [added].

I, too, am disappointed because, at the very least, the symbolism of such a move is troubling. With such a veto, the anti-Rowland has shown her affinity with anti-worker groups such as the CBIA and SAHOA. This isn't consoling in these tough times for many people.