This is the perfect time to suggest a merge of this thread with the global warming errrrr climate change thread into cyberspace wasteland.
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The Seattle rate frequently cited as the new goal for those attempting to organize those workers would be $31k per year. There are other jobs which pay more than $7 and they require skills, training, etc which justify that wage. If everyone with no skills can walk in off the streets and make that much what is the incentive to better oneself.
On that note though, a federal minimum wage is not the best way to handle anyway unless you index to a geocode of some sorts. $31k May actually be reasonable in Seattle, but that doesn't indicate it is right in Ashland, Ky
Perhaps I'm too caught up in fast food and not considering the full breadth of minimum wage jobs, but I don't see jobs inhabited by high school kids getting their first taste of being in the workforce and/or bored retirees as needing to pay enough to raise a family.
http://nyti.ms/1pUGFyF
I'm guessing most of those with minimum wage jobs don't fall into those age groups.