Issue Position: Economic Issues

Issue Position

Carl believes wages should be set at a fair rate, and workers should be compensated for their contributions. He co-sponsored legislation that was successful in increasing the Massachusetts minimum wage to $8.00 an hour. However, this legislation was passed without regard to inflation. Therefore, as inflation increases, and if the minimum wage is not continually adjusted accordingly, workers' buying power decreases. Carl supports additional legislation which would tie future increases in the minimum wage automatically to adjust for inflation.

Carl opposes privatization of state services when it cuts workers' salaries and benefits and denies them union representation. He supports legislation that ensures that contingent workers receive equal wages, benefits, and access to all rights.
Carl opposes a further increase in the rate state workers pay for their health insurance. A recent trend in health care has been to shift costs to the worker. Carl supports a return to the 85% to 15% ratio for all state workers.

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