ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, May 11, 1996 TAG: 9605130008
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
APPARENTLY serious consideration is being given to increasing the minimum wage rate from $4.25 to $5.15, an increase of more than 21 percent. If this happens, it will be another situation of our federal government legislating inflation.
An increase in the minimum wage is nothing more than an increase in the price of labor. Those workers who were paid twice the minimum wage before the increase will soon be earning twice the new minimum rate; those paid three times more will soon be at a rate of three times more than the new minimum rate, and so forth.
The original minimum wage set by Washington was 25 cents an hour. Now it is $4.25, 17 times higher. After the original minimum wage was passed, I could purchase a shirt for $1.50 to $2.50. Now a shirt costs approximately 17 times more. Then, I paid $800 for my first new automobile. Now I would have to pay at least 17 times as much for the equivalent - $13,600.
If the rate is increased to $5.15, some low-paid workers will see their earnings rise; others will lose their jobs. And we'll all suffer from an increase in the inflation rate, which I predict will soon be in excess of 20 percent.
JACK F. HANKINS
MARTINSVILLE
The environment requires our vigil
ROBERT MARANTO writes in his April 22 commentary (``On Earth Day, plenty of cause for optimism'') that environmentalists should stop complaining and celebrate the advances in conservation of forests and animals, thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency and "a whole host of environmental laws.'' The examples he cites are encouraging, but this is no time for complacency and relaxation of vigilance over politicians and corporations.
There's a pending Senate bill that would allow destruction of more than 60 percent of our wetlands protected under the Clean Water Act, granting special exemptions and removing the EPA's veto over wetlands development. Another proposal would permit the corporate plundering of national parks and forests.
The Roanoke Times reported several months ago that, according to a study by environmentalists, ``state money for environmental protection in Virginia has dropped 45 percent since 1989,'' and that Gov. George Allen wanted another $10 million cut by 1997. (A state official challenged those numbers, stating that industry fees and federal aid more than made up the difference, although conceding a diminished state role.)
With the regulatory slash-and-burn mentality of the current majority in Congress, the environment and its protective legislation are at risk. Congress is making a strategic retreat from that approach due to the negative reaction in the polls, but its preference for promoting corporate profits over the fragile web of life won't disappear.
Maranato lauds McDonald's for recycling. I bet McDonald's doesn't do it because it appreciates nature, but because it was forced to. Also, the last I heard, those Big Macs he wants us to buy are made from cattle grown on cleared land and fed with grain that would be better and more economically used to feed hungry people.
A watchful concern isn't "alarmism,'' and there's a fine line between "pessimism" and realism when it comes to politics.
RICHARD R. BAUMAN
BLACKSBURG
No problem with 1996 decals
CITY DECALS are better this year!
A May 9 letter to the editor by Denna S. Bayse (``City decals are no better this year'') may have caused some concern for Roanoke city citizens regarding the 1996 decals. Because we value good customer service, I contacted her to better understand the extent of her concerns. Bayse said that she purchased her decal in February of this year; therefore, she received the light blue 1995 decal. The 1996 decals were made available on April 15 and are red in color. To the best of our knowledge, the red decals appear to be adhering with no problem. And we're optimistic they will be more successful than last year's version!
I apologize for any confusion this may have caused. If you have questions or you find any problems with the 1996 decals, I encourage you to contact our office at 981-2521.
MARSHA COMPTON FIELDER
Commissioner of Revenue
City of Roanoke
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 84 linesby CNB