Saying that raising the minimum wage to $4.25 an hour would destroy 5,000 jobs in Utah, Rep. Jim Hansen was among 37 congressmen who opposed an increase in the minimum wage Wednesday.
Reps. Howard Nielson, R-Utah, and Wayne Owens, D-Utah, voted for the increase.But Hansen said, "Although the politically popular thing to do was vote yes . . .studies indicate an increase in the minimum wage is going to cost Utahns 5,000 jobs."
"Many businesses would find it impossible to keep the same number of employees or even stay in business with the increase. This bill hurts those it is designed to help, the underemployed."