New Jersey printer Joe Olivo, a member of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), appeared Sunday on national television opposite Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Il), to debate legislation that would raise the national minimum wage nearly 40 percent.
“My worst fear is that another expensive mandate from government is going to cause small businesses to find ways around hiring or keeping workers,” said Olivo, who runs Perfect Printing of Moorestown, NJ.
Jackson is the sponsor of legislation that would raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $10. That would be a big increase in a good economy, said Olivo. In a sluggish economy with stiff competion and waning consumer demand, higher mandatory wages will hit small businesses hardest.
“They just don’t understand how the economy works,” said Olivo. “If you mandate higher wages without an increase in consumer demand, then employers have very few options except to reduce payroll. That isn’t what we need right now.”
Olivo was a guest on the Melissa Harris-Perry show on MSNBC yesterday at 11 am.
“Small businesses like mine need a voice in the national debate, and I’m glad to have been able to make our case on a national platform,” said Olivo.
Click the link below to watch the segment:
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/melissa-harris-perry/47755400#47755400
For more information about NFIB, please visit www.nfib.com.
