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Minimum wage and college

To the editor:

The $15 an hour minimum wage — it would more than likely work inn the East and West Coast cities and larger cities in between.

Currently, they already pay above the set minimum wage — just visit Columbus. Fast-food establishments advertise new hires starting at up to $12 per hour. But it shouldn’t be implemented in areas where the cost of living is reasonable. We are fortunate to fit in that column.

Everyone can agree that a jump in wages of that amount, a one-and-three-quarter increase, will cut employment and increase costs. Businesses can’t absorb that kind of hike. Also, in the Ohio Valley, a two-year degree pays between $13 and $18 an hour on average. Will there be enough incentive to go to school for an associates, when combining the cost to go to school with the difference in pay? If the answer is the associates will have to be paid higher wages, will the bachelors also need to be readjusted with higher pay? Where does it all level out and who decides that?

Will those on a fixed income see an adjusted increase? They should because costs will rise, but just how much? If Joe Biden wins, I guess it will all get figured out.

Not everyone appreciates free college. I’ve witnessed it firsthand when I went back to school in 2009. Many students who received free college didn’t take schooling serious. It was almost as if it was high school, listening to the excuses on why they hadn’t had time to study for an exam or getting their assignments done. It was OK, though, because they weren’t paying for it, and they also knew the school policy was nobody fails. I’m all right with free college for those who take it seriously. There were those who did appreciate what was offered to them and were successful in completing their degree. College isn’t for everyone, and it shouldn’t just be handed out carelessly because it sounds good and for votes. Requirements should be met such as minimum grade averages and an understanding that if not taken seriously, causing failure, it will be paid back.

Will all of us be offered free tuition being that those of us who work will be paying for it? Are all colleges included? Will tuitions be lowered, being that they will have guaranteed payment? All working people who pay taxes will tell you that nothing is free and eventually the youth who love the idea of free tuition will find that out when they begin to enter the work force.

I paid for my wife and three children to go to school — all got their degrees. Two went on to get their masters. They understood and appreciated how hard my wife and I had worked to make that possible and, in turn, being accountable, they put out the effort to succeed.

Louis Vella

Mingo Junction

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