Minimum wage

Low-income families live on a financial cliff. A rent increase or an illness can cost them their homes, and disrupt their children's physical and mental health, education and community connection.

New Hampshire's $5.15 minimum wage (the same as the federal minimum) is the lowest in New England. Instead of encouraging working families and moving them toward self-sufficiency, it keeps them dependent on government services.

The Children's Alliance also asks what message is sent to children in low-income working families who see their parents go out every day to a job or a couple of jobs, and still have to rely on food stamps, still need to ask their local welfare office for help, still go to the food pantry, still hope and pray that fuel assistance comes through so their pipes don't freeze?

The Children's Alliance endorses raising the federal and state minimum wages to a level that reflects the rising cost of living.

June 5, 2005
Valley News editorial contrasts NH's "callous" approach with Vermont's decision to index minimum wage to the CPI.

May 26, 2005
NH Senate defeats minimum wage bill, 15-9.

May 20, 2005
Child Advocacy Alert! Urge NH Senate to approve $1 increase in state's minimum wage.

May 11, 2005
Who earns minimum wage in New Hampshire?

May 10, 2005
Children's Alliance testifies at Senate hearing in support of House Bill 665 to raise NH's minimum wage by $1. Read Union Leader coverage of hearing.

January 24, 2005
The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2005 (S. 14), which would increase the federal minimum wage to $7.25, is introduced in Congress.

May 7, 2004
Children's Alliance endorses efforts
to raise federal minimum wage by $1.50.

January 28, 2004
Children's Alliance testifies at House hearing in support of House Bill 1278 to raise the state minimum wage by $1.50.