Increase the federal minimum wage ─ it’s long overdue

The provision for a federal minimum hourly wage of $15 was stripped from the recently passed COVID-19 relief bill, disappointing many. That wage was last increased in 2009, some 21 years ago. It’s now $7.25 or $15,080 annually before taxes. In contrast, inflation increased 24% during the same period, and recent profits of some large retailers has increased 69%.