Scientific Opinion Poll: Small Businesses Support Raising the Minimum Wage to $12

Washington, DC—A scientific opinion poll released today shows a majority of small businesses nationwide support raising the federal minimum to $12 per hour, with nearly half of small businesses strongly supporting a minimum wage increase.

The poll, conducted July 17-19, 2015, by Public Policy Polling on behalf of Small Business Majority, found 60 percent of small businesses support gradually raising the federal minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2020 and adjusting it annually to keep pace with the cost of living. What's more, 45 percent of small business owners strongly support increasing the minimum wage to $12 per hour.

"Great employees are critical to the success of every small business, and we all want to pay wages that are sustainable for our staff and our bottom line" said Yael Krigman, owner and president of Baked by Yael in Washington D.C. "That's why I support gradually increasing the federal minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2020. It's very difficult to compete against the cheap labor of big business, so a raise in the minimum wage helps level the playing field for businesses of all sizes and ensures fairness for employers and workers alike."

Half of respondents pay their lowest paid employees the current federal minimum wage up to $12 per hour. And, out of those paying $12 per hour and under—the group that would be directly impacted by a minimum wage increase—nearly 6 in 10 (58 percent) support raising the minimum wage to $12 per hour. Additionally, 56 percent of small businesses in the retail and restaurant industries combined support raising the minimum wage to $12.

"Entrepreneurs from across the nation are doing everything they can to grow their businesses in our slowly-recovering economy," said John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority. "In order to thrive, entrepreneurs need smart policies that help bolster their bottom lines and fuel the consumer demand that underpins economic success. Small businesses know raising the minimum wage would immediately put more money in the pocket of low-wage workers who will then spend the money on things like housing, food and gas. This boost in demand for goods and services will help stimulate the economy and help create opportunities for growth and expansion."

Increasing the federal minimum wage finds broad support among small business owners across a range of industries and political persuasions. The respondents in the survey reflect a Republican majority, with 52 percent of small business owners identifying as Republican, 40 percent as Democrat and 8 percent as pure independent.

For the full poll report, please visit: http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org/small-business-research/minimum-wag...