NHDP Statement on State Senate Minimum Wage Vote

Republican Jeb Bradley Dodges Direct Question, Refuses to Say if he Supports Any Minimum Wage

Concord - During debate on establishing a state minimum wage in the State Senate today, Republican Senator Jeb Bradley refused to say if he supported any minimum wage for New Hampshire workers at either the state or federal level.  Bradley was then joined in voting against New Hampshire setting a state minimum wage, by the Republican majority in the state senate.  New Hampshire Democratic Party Communication Director Harrell Kirstein released the following statement in response to their reckless vote

"In the State House, Bradley voted against raising New Hampshire's minimum wage from $5.15 per hour - more than two dollars less than today's minimum wage.  Today, he dodged direct questions and refused to say if he believes there should be a minimum wage at all.  New Hampshire workers and their families deserve an answer - how little does Jeb Bradley believe their labor is ever worth? Does he even believe there should be a minimum wage at all?"

"It is disappointing that Bradley and Republicans refused to abandon their false talking points and stand with New Hampshire workers.  Their vote was further evidence that New Hampshire Republicans have turned their back on traditional Granite State values.  Instead of working to grow the economy and protect wages, Bradley and Republicans in the state senate stood with the radical right in voting against New Hampshire's minimum wage law. "

Background on Bradley's Votes Against NH Workers and the Minimum Wage

Republican State Senator Jeb Bradley Has Consistently Voted For The Lowest Available Minimum Wage. Both in Washington as a member of Congress, and in Concord as a state Senator and state Representative, Bradley voted against raising the minimum wage. [HB1475, 2000 Roll Call; HR 890, Vote #319, 6/27/06] In 2011, Bradley even voted to eliminate New Hampshire's minimum wage law entirely.  [HB133, 2011 Roll Call]

REPORT: Minimum Wage Increase Would Impact Economy In A "Demonstrably Positive" Way. In August 2012, a report from the Economic Policy Instituate said: "Raising the minimum wage would help workers still reeling from the effects of the recession. The resulting impact on the overall economy would be demonstrably positive, as minimum-wage workers would spend their new earnings immediately, generating a positive impact on GDP and related modest employment growth." [Economic Policy Institute, How Raising the Federal Minimum Wage Would Help Working Families and Give the Economy a Boost, 8/4/12]

Berkley Study Found That Minimum Wage Increase Did Not Result In Job Loss. In February 2013, the Desert News wrote: "Subsequent research by other economists bolsters Card and Krueger's conclusion that the relationship is not as simple as minimum wage up, employment down. A 2010 study by economists at Berkeley, for example, found that increasing the minimum wage did not result in job loss." [Desert News, 2/19/13]

NHDP - Equal Pay Day - a Sad Reminder of the NHGOP's Continuing Lurch to the Radical Right

Where does the GOP Stand on Equal Pay?

Concord - Equal Pay Day is yet another reminder of how out of touch the New Hampshire Republican Party has become with traditional New Hampshire values - like guaranteeing equal pay for equal work.  In Washington, Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte voted against the Pay Check Fairness Act which would make it illegal for employers to pay unequal wages to men and women who perform substantially equal work.  [Huffington Post, 6/05/2012]  The most recent Republican gubernatorial nominee Ovide Lamontagne also voiced opposition to equal pay legislation. [ThinkProgress, 10/22/2012]

Last year on Equal Pay Day, the New Hampshire Republican Party spokesman called the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay law a "handout to trial lawyers" that allows women to "sue their employers unnecessarily." [Huffington Post, 4/18/2012]

"Unfortunately, New Hampshire already knows where Kelly Ayotte, Ovide Lamontange, and the NHGOP stand: in firm opposition to equal pay for equal work.  But what about the GOP's second string candidates Jeb Bradley and Frank Guinta - will they stand with their far right allies or with the hard working women of New Hampshire?" asked Harrell Kirstein, communication director for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.  "Even the NHGOP's fantasy candidate Scott Brown has taken the wrong position on equal pay - it is time for Bradley and Guinta to be honest with Granite State voters about where they stand."

When women make less than men for equal work, the economic security of their families is undermined.  Over the course of her career, a woman loses hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Those earnings could have been used to pay for a child's education or help a family achieve the American Dream of home ownership.

"While nationally the Republican Party has been attempting to erase some of its more out of touch positions, Kelly Ayotte's New Hampshire Republican Party with Jennifer Horn in the lead has been sliding ever farther to the extreme right," added Kirstein.

NHDP - Does Jeb Bradley Believe in a Minimum wage?

Bradley Has a Decades Long History of Voting for Lower Minimum Wages

Concord - During his decades long political career Republican State Senator Jeb Bradley has consistently voted against New Hampshire workers and for the lowest available minimum wage.  Both in Washington as a member of Congress, and in Concord as a state Senator and state Representative, Bradley voted against raising the minimum wage. [HB1475, 2000 Roll Call; HR 890, Vote #319, 6/27/06]  In 2011, Bradley even voted to eliminate New Hampshire's minimum wage law entirely.  [HB133, 2011 Roll Call]

"Senator Jeb Bradley has been consistent in his irresponsible votes against New Hampshire workers, making it harder for many to earn a living and support their families," said Harrell Kirstein, communications director of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "In the State House, Bradley once voted against raising New Hampshire's minimum wage from $5.15 per hour - more than two dollars less than today's minimum wage.  How low exactly does Jeb Bradley believe the minimum wage should be?"

This afternoon, the Senate Commerce Committee is set to vote on HB501 which would institute a minimum wage law in New Hampshire. [HB501]  Without a state minimum wage, New Hampshire workers are at the whim politicians from other states who could lower the federal minimum wage, or eliminate it altogether, leaving New Hampshire workers with no protection.  The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 first established a permanent federal minimum wage in the United States.

"Instead of working to grow the economy and protect wages, Bradley has stood with the radical right in voting to eliminate New Hampshire's minimum wage law entirely," continued Kirstein.  "New Hampshire workers and their families deserve an answer - how little does Jeb Bradley believe their labor is ever worth? Does he even believe there should be a minimum wage at all?"

NHDP - Chair Ray Buckley's Statement on State Senator Jeb Bradley Blocking the Restoration of New Hampshire's Minimum Wage.

Concord, NH - New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley issued the following statement in response to State Senator Jeb Bradley voting to block the restoration of New Hampshire's minimum wage.

"Yesterday, Senator Bradley continued his long history of voting against working New Hampshire families when he voted against the restoration of New Hampshire's minimum wage," said Buckley. "While sad, it is by no means surprising as Senator Bradley has a long history of voting against increases in the minimum wage at the federal, and now at the state level."

"While in Congress, then Representative Bradley saw his pay increase over $10,000 in a scant four years. Yet, when repeatedly presented with the opportunity to help working families earn a living wage, Representative Bradley voted against attempts to increase the federal minimum wage. I think it is pretty clear whose interests Jeb Bradley had in mind when he was in Congress."

"In 1949, led by Republican's in both the legislature and the Governor's office, New Hampshire established it's first minimum wage law. Two years ago, Jeb Bradley and Bill O'Brien decided that was a mistake, and voted to repeal the minimum wage here in this state, and yesterday he affirmed that vote," said Buckley. "Let me be absolutely clear on this. Senator Bradley does not believe the workers of New Hampshire are entitled to a minimum wage."

Senator Bradley Statement on Tabling of Minimum Wage Bill

The New Hampshire Senate

Majority Office

Today’s bipartisan vote reaffirms decision of last session

Concord, NH - Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R- Wolfeboro, issued the following statement today following the Senate’s tabling of SB77:

“I am gratified the entire Senate stood for small businesses, job growth and opportunity by tabling an attempt to reinstate a New Hampshire minimum wage law.  Currently, 16 states have a higher minimum wage than the Granite State, and 14 of those 16 states have a higher unemployment rate than ours.  Moreover, raising the minimum wage costs jobs, especially for younger, lower-skilled workers.  In fact, 330,000 American teenagers lost jobs in the two months following the national minimum wage increase in 2009.  When Senate Republicans voted to repeal the New Hampshire specific minimum wage in 2011 we did so with job growth in mind.  Today’s bipartisan vote reaffirms the principle behind that decision.”