AJC
Atlanta Forward: Regional economy
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., center, speaks during an event to urge approval for raising the minimum wage, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 3, 2014. From left are Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Ruben Jones, a low-wage worker from Washington, Reid, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Today’s moderator: Rick Badie
Rick Badie joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution as an education reporter in 1997. A South Georgia native, he’s covered the region’s immigrant communities, was a feature obituary writer and opinion columnist for the AJC’s Gwinnett edition.
Whether to raise the minimum wage remains a divisive political issue. President Barack Obama wants the federal hourly rate raised from $7.25 to $10.10. Today, a small-business proponent says a wage increase would hurt employers, while the founder of a liberal advocacy group offers an opposing view. Meanwhile, the head of a nonprofit wants the federal government to do more contract work with small businesses.
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Today's columnists:
- Support pro-growth policies by Kyle Jackson
- Businesses support wage hike by John Arensmeyer
- Public contracts grow jobs by Roger A. Campos
