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Trump attacks Liz Cheney using violent war imagery; Election insights: What 50 Ohioans want to hear from candidates; Consumer groups slam CA Supreme Court ruling on lemon law; On National Brush Day, new resources in KY to boost oral health.

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Harris says her campaign is prepared for Trump to prematurely claim victory, Pennsylvania election officials say safeguards in the system are preventing vote fraud, and Montana Senate race could hinge on the "political refugee" vote.

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A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

More than 1 in 4 WY workers would benefit from higher minimum wage

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Wednesday, July 31, 2024   

More than 80,000 Wyoming workers would benefit from an increased minimum wage, according to a new report.

Wyoming is one of 16 states where employers are required to pay only the federal minimum wage of $7.25 cents an hour. A pay bump to $17 an hour would boost the pay for more than 27% of Wyoming's workforce, according to Oxfam America.

Income needs vary across the state. According to the Wyoming Women's Foundation, a self-sufficient wage for one adult with one preschooler ranges from a high of $36 an hour in Teton County to $21 in Goshen County.

Alex Shannon, communications and event coordinator for the foundation, said the minimum wage does not meet the self-sufficiency threshold in any county.

"Even working full-time, earning the 2024 federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour is not enough to meet the standard anywhere in Wyoming," Shannon pointed out. "For any family composition, including a single adult with no children."

A proposed Wyoming House bill in 2021 which would have raised the state's hourly minimum wage to $15 was never considered for introduction. Opponents argued it would hurt small businesses and lead to layoffs.

Shannon pointed out the cost of child care is a particular challenge for workers with low pay rates. For families with young children, she added, housing and child care costs can account for as much as half of the family's budget.

"Reducing costs for workers, such as child care assistance, food benefits and federal Earned Income Tax (Credit) really are going to offer sustainability and resources on the journey to becoming self-sufficient," Shannon contended

The Oxfam report also showed a significant pay gap in Wyoming by gender. More than one-third of women make less than $17 per hour, while roughly one-fifth of men fall into the same bracket.


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