Advocates are pointing to a growing disparity between the state-mandated minimum wage for employees and the minimum pay required for all other workers in Oklahoma. This discrepancy highlights the need for an increase in the state’s minimum wage rate.
As of July 1st, state employees are now required to earn a minimum wage of $12.41 per hour, or a yearly salary of $25,820. This change was implemented due to a law passed in 2009, which states that state employees must receive an annual salary that matches the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of three individuals. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services released a statement announcing this increase.
According to experts, the increase in pay for state employees is crucial. However, the little-known state law that governs this issue sheds light on the widening gap between Oklahoma’s minimum wage of $7.25 per hour and the amount required for a family of three to sustain themselves in the state.
Lawmakers in Oklahoma have approved an increase in the minimum wage for state government workers; however, they have not shown any interest in raising the overall rate for the rest of the population. Despite calls for an increase in the minimum wage, lawmakers continue to support a 2014 law that prohibits cities and towns in Oklahoma from setting their own minimum wage rates above the state-mandated level.
According to Sen. George Young, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, it is imperative that the poverty measure used by the federal government to determine state employee pay should also be utilized for the welfare of all Oklahomans.
He raised a thought-provoking question, “If we believe that state employees deserve a pay increase, why wouldn’t we extend the same consideration to others?”
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a total of 30 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia have established a minimum wage that surpasses the federal minimum. Impressively, seven of these states pay an hourly rate that is at or above $15. Even neighboring states such as New Mexico, Colorado, Missouri, and Arkansas compensate their workers at a higher rate than the federal minimum wage.
As Young prepares to step down from his position later this year, he has made several attempts to increase wages through his proposed bills. Among these options were a gradual wage increase and setting the minimum wage at $15 per hour. However, none of these bills were able to successfully pass.
According to him, boosting the economy in Oklahoma would receive a much-needed boost from an increase, which he likened to a “shot in the arm.”
As minimum wage for state employees increases, advocates work to get state question on ballot
According to a spokesperson for Gov. Kevin Stitt, the governor firmly believes that wages should be determined by the free market rather than the government.
According to her, the minimum wage for state employees was linked to the Federal Poverty Guidelines by former Gov. Brad Henry through a law passed in 2009. This implies that Stitt does not have the authority to make changes to the minimum wage for state employees.
According to Raise the Wage Oklahoma’s spokesperson, Amber England, it has been 15 years since the minimum wage for all Oklahomans has been increased.
According to her, witnessing progress being made within state government is a positive development.
According to England, the increase in the minimum wage is a well-deserved recognition for the public service employees who have dedicated their careers to serving the community. He expressed his excitement about the pay raise that these employees will receive.
In an effort to improve the minimum wage, England has dedicated her attention to the State Question 832, which aims to raise the minimum wage to $9 per hour in 2025 and $15 per hour in 2029. According to England, the measure has already garnered significant support, with nearly twice the required number of signatures collected to ensure its place on a future ballot.
According to England, the campaign coupled with this raise will hopefully serve as a wake-up call for lawmakers to realize their disconnect with the common people in Oklahoma. He believes that they should take this opportunity to step up and do more to improve the wages in the state.
In 2023, state employees were earning a minimum wage of $11.95 per hour. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services spokeswoman stated that it is common for the poverty level to be modified annually, and as a result, the minimum pay rate of the state government is adjusted accordingly.
The minimum wage increase will affect twenty-nine state employees, including housekeepers, custodians, and customer service representatives.
According to Gabriela Ramirez-Perez, a policy analyst at the Oklahoma Policy Institute, approximately 200,000 individuals in Oklahoma, which equates to roughly 5% of the population, receive payment at or near the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
According to her, individuals belonging to the communities of color are being paid significantly lower wages in comparison to their white counterparts in Oklahoma. Similarly, women are also experiencing the same pay gap when compared to men.
Ramirez-Perez emphasized that increasing the minimum wage floor would be a crucial step towards tackling the issue of income inequality. “It may not completely solve the problem, but it would definitely make a significant difference by giving a much-needed boost to everyone,” she stated.
Upon receiving a comment from the State Chamber, representing businesses in Oklahoma, their statement was found to be unresponsive.
In 2019, state employees received the last “across-the-board” pay raise, according to a statement from Gene Blankenship, the deputy director of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association.
According to Blankenship, many residents are struggling to make ends meet with the current wages. This growing gap between wages and the cost of living poses a threat to Oklahoma’s workforce. To tackle this issue, policymakers, businesses, and community leaders should collaborate and devise strategies to increase wages, enhance living standards, and build a brighter future for all residents of Oklahoma.