To the Journal editor:

“The measure of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, but whether we provide enough to those who have too little.” (F.D.R.)

Gradually raising the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025 would lift pay for nearly 32 million workers, the majority (60%) of which are essential and front-line workers.

These working poor make up 42% of those on public assistance programs such as Medicaid and CHIP, food stamps, and the earned income tax credit, at a cost to taxpayers of more than $107 billion a year (Jan. 26, Economic Policy Institute). Socializing expenses is corporate welfare.

Since 2009, the federal minimum hourly wage has been $7.25. With full-time work, that would amount to $15,080 annually, or $1,256 per month.

Michigan’s minimum wage, for those 18 or older, is $9.65 an hour. With full-time work, that would be $20,072 annually, or $1,672 per month.

In monthly expenses, a person with no kids can expect to pay $800 in rent for a one-bedroom apartment. The national median is $1,216 (Business Insider, July 24, 2019).

On the low-cost plan, he can expect to pay $251.80 for groceries (USDA Food Plan, January). Driving 400 miles a month, averaging 20 mpg @ $2.50 per gallon, monthly gasoline costs would be $50. The average cost of the American commute is $216 a month.

In Michigan, an average auto insurance policy for minimum coverage is $82.91 a month (Feb. 8, Bankrate.com). Let’s say his phone and plan would cost $75 a month.

Just these five conservative monthly expenses would total $1,259.71. If you are earning Michigan’s minimum wage of $9.65 an hour, it would leave you just $412.29 a month to purchase and maintain a used car, to buy toothpaste and toilet paper, and pray that you don’t get sick or injured.

By 2025, the federal minimum hourly wage could be $15. With full-time work that would amount to $31,200 annually, or $2,600 a month. Now, not only could you pay for food, rent, gasoline, phone, and auto insurance, you could splurge on a new pair of jeans and shoes, afford an eye exam and new glasses, or even go really big and get your teeth looked at.

That just might stimulate the economy and create more jobs.

MAX GRAVES

Marquette