Labor and Workforce Development Committee

July 28, 2006

The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Hastert and Minority Leader Pelosi:

In April 2006, the National Conference of State Legislatures affirmed its support for an increase in the federal minimum wage. The current federal minimum wage has not been increased since 1997 and should be increased. Currently, 23 states and the District of Columbia have established state minimum wages that are higher than the national minimum wage. Workers in these states are able to more adequately meet the needs of their families.

We urge the Congress to increase the federal minimum wage and look forward to working with you on this important issue that will improve the lives of working families. For additional assistance and information, please have your staff contact Gerri Madrid-Davis (202-624-8670; gerri.madrid@ncsl.org) in NCSL’s Washington, D.C. office.

Sincerely,

Representative Tom Anderson
Alaska Legislature
Chair, NCSL Labor and Workforce Development Standing Committee