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AJC.com > Legislature > Georgia Beat > Archives > 2005 > February > 10 > Entry
Senate bill would slash teen minimum wage
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Senate approved a bill this morning that would allow employers to hire workers under age 20 at a “training wage” of $4.25 per hour — less than the federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour.
Employers could pay the lower wage for a maximum of 90 days. Seth Harp (R-Midland), the bill’s sponsor, said the bill simply aligns the state’s policies on minimum wage with federal wage requirements.
“The idea is to encourage employers to hire young people by giving them this break,” Harp said. “All my bill does is bring the Georgia statute in line with the federal statute.”
Sen. Regina Thomas (D-Savannah) urged her colleagues to vote against the measure. “This is not a good bill,” Thomas said. “I urge you, for the working families in the state of Georgia, not to allow this to happen.”
The measure passed by a vote of 49-5.
After passing a few more bills, the Senate adjourned until 1:30 p.m., when lawmakers return to debate Gov. Sonny Perdue’s faith-based initiative. Senate Resolution 49 would allow public funding of religious organizations that provide social service programs.
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