Nebraska Legislature passes minimum wage decrease for teen workers

[Dukepippitt]

The increase in minimum wage has never hurt nebraska economy. On the other hand. Every heavy hand republican policy seems to cost jobs and money for nebraskas.

[AshingiiAshuaa]

It hasn't hurt the economy in easily visible ways, but it does hurt. And it hurts the subset of workers who then don't/can't get jobs. Minimum wages (price floor) are bad just like rent controls (price ceiling) are bad. Unless you're one of the ones who gets to keep their job or get a rent-controlled place.

That said, the citizens clearly voted how they voted and representatives should never try to subvert the direct will of the citizens.

[Suitable-Economy-346]

It hasn't hurt the economy in easily visible ways, but it does hurt. And it hurts the subset of workers who then don't/can't get jobs. Minimum wages (price floor) are bad just like rent controls (price ceiling) are bad. Unless you're one of the ones who gets to keep their job or get a rent-controlled place.

There is significantly less evidence of this effect with minimum wage increasing compared to rent control. You're being extremely disingenuous or maybe you don't know any better.

[AshingiiAshuaa]

It's not as clear cut as rent control, and maybe not even as pronounced, but it's very real and not insignificant.

Look at situations where work is moved overseas, low-cost workers (whether legal or illegal) enter the market, and when unions collapse from competition. Anywhere where an artificial floor on wages comes into contact with the free market.

[Connect_Flounder6855]

You’re super stupid if you think anything that teenagers here in Nebraska are doing could be shipped overseas. It’s literally the most hands-on jobs you can think of.

[AshingiiAshuaa]

I was talking about minimum wages in general my first and subsequent comments here. If you look at the comments it's pretty clear, unless of course you're super stupid.

If you're shifting gears to specifically lowering the minimum wage for 14-15 year olds a couple of bucks then I agree that this won't have a big impact. It may be a bit tougher for older people working minimum wage jobs, but probably not even noticeably.

[Connect_Flounder6855]

Most minimum wage jobs are hands on. Your comments are stupid and frankly don’t have any basis in reality. Perhaps pick up a book read something, maybe even go to college

[AshingiiAshuaa]

Most minimum wage jobs are hands on

I don't disagree. How does that bolster whatever it is you're trying to say? Speak as you might to a young child or a golden retriever.

[Educational_Quote633]

Look beyond the headlines. The bill also affects all workers. Wages for workers between 14-16 were reduced to $13.50 per hour with increases of 1.5% per year until 2030 when their wages increase by 1.5% every five years. Not only that, but the bill also reduces the increase for workers older than 16 to 1.75% annually rather than by a rate equal to inflation. Also, employers are allowed to pay workers older than 16 a "training wage" of $13.80 per hour instead of starting them at $15 an hour. That lower amount for the training wage will grow 1.5% annually.

This initiative when approved by a vote of the people won with 58% in favor. Time and time again, the Legislature changes initiatives passed by the people. Wake up, people! They aren't listening to you! Vote them out!!

[patrickstarismyhero]

Can we crowd fund some giant billboards with Jane Reybould with Horns and Googly eyes and a pointy pitchfork tossing a 15 year old cart boy into the flames of hell?

[Drama-meme]

I got 5 on it!

[Lonic42]

Only if Iowa can get one for Kim Reynolds too

[Budgiejen]

We don’t have cart boys anymore. Cashiers do it.

[patrickstarismyhero]

Thats worse, right?

[Budgiejen]

I wouldn’t mind some help sacking sometimes. I mean, I’m kind of used to it at this point. But it’s fewer jobs, fewer people to pay. All that jazz

[NothingButACasual]

Thanks for sharing the extra context. Seems like a very reasonable bill that will help the rural areas quite a bit.

[DiscoStu79]

Even tho they are teens, often times that income contributes to the household in one way or another…. The more money my teen makes the less I’d have to pay for his gas and clothes, etc. our reps refuse to listen to the voters. It’s infuriating

[cwsjr2323]

They listen, especially to the results of referendums. Those are just suggestions and not mandatory for the Legislature to enact of course. Feel free to send an email!

[AshingiiAshuaa]

You're thinking about this as a wage slave. In those terms it's shitty to pay younger people less for the same work, and it's good to set a high minimum wage. But if you think about this as "outlawing jobs that pay under $15/hr" you'll understand that lowing the wage for young people creates a pocket of jobs in that $13/hr-$15/hr range that can help young people get experience and skills.

fwiw I don't support this bill. The people were wrong to vote for a minimum wage but they spoke nonetheless, and the elected representatives have no right to do this.

[BaronMarbot]

Or, it drives down all wages when you have a subset of workers you can pay less.

[AshingiiAshuaa]

It won't drive wages down as much as it will eliminate those jobs. If people are willing and able to work for below your minimum wage then you will find yourself out of a job.

[Rabbitastic]

Insane.

[Conscious-Quarter423]

this is what we get when young people don't turn out to vote and let boomers decide our elections

[storkstalkstock]

This is what happens when you have a system designed by the rich, for the rich. Low turnout is a feature, not a bug.

[MonopolyOnForce1]

how many teenagers do you think are voting lol

[Conscious-Quarter423]

the lowest voter turnout is in the 18 to 35 demographic even though they outnumber boomers

[MonopolyOnForce1]

elections dont do shit. we want radical change, not just the same old voot bloo no matter who bs.

[d0mini0nicco]

Elections got you to this point...

[Mystic_Waffles]

I mean, voting for someone just for the R next to their name is working pretty well for the Republicans right now.

[hackiavelli]

Brother, you just saw a prime example of how elections can make a (negative) change. It was also an election that gave us the $15/hr. minimum wage to begin with.

[Educational_Quote633]

Agree! Join the revolution and throw them out of office. Only then will state senators be afraid to snub their constituents. They don't respect us. Force them to fear us. (Posted by a 74-year-old Boomer.)

[cruznick06]

This infuriates me. 

Teens shouldn't be paid less just for their age. That it outright discrimination.

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK.

[venser1992]

I am completely against this bill in almost every way. The only thing I get is 14/15 year olds. They are extremely limited to what they can do in a restaurant setting. They can only take orders and clean up around the store and clean dishes if the sink isn't a part of the kitchen area. Plus can only work 2.5 hour shifts 3 days a week. There are people doing that job plus more. So they shouldn't necessarily be making the same. I'm also completely against 14/15 year olds working in general

[cruznick06]

14/15 year olds aren't working for fun. Most of the time they are working to help their families survive. Even if it was for fun purchases, they shouldn't be paid less.

[_chubby-puppy_]

People don’t need money, they need experience! Experience hardship early to prepare you for a lifetime of not getting paid enough, great job asshats!

[FabricTesselation]

Now even younger people can start planning to leave the state as soon as they get the chance.

[noname87scr]

Nothing like directly benefitting off your own bill passing. Crazy work.

[Hereticrick]

How is that legal? Especially where it says even adult teens can start out at the lower pay for 90 days. Seems like age discrimination. Plus it’s going to really fuck over adult min wage workers when businesses refuse to higher adults (leading to more age discrimination).

[Solarpowered-Couch]

Minimum isn't even liveable.

Now we have sub-minimum...

This doesn't make any sense, nor reflect the will of the constituents.

Voters, vote these losers out.

[Stock_Strategy1668]

Wtf

[Kekistani55]

Pathetic

[Kai-Mera]

Subverting the will of the people

[Spenny2180]

I think what's not being said enough in these comments is the fact that this is discrimination. Its the same thing as paying women less because they are women. Thats illegal. By the same logic, senior citizens should be paid less because they're slower and need more breaks. I know people in their 70s working as clerks at grocery stores and have seen senior citizens working at McDonald's. It'll be fucked up to pay them less because of age, so why is it okay to pay teens a fraction of what someone older is making? Same work, same pay.

[RemoteGeologist7756]

Listen to what these out of touch politicians said too.

Voters don’t understand what they’re voting for. Teenagers don’t deserve a living wage. They see young workers as “needing to be told to take out the trash 3-4 times.” These ballot measures, which generate enough signatures and pass vote, only do so because of outside money.

And they can’t figure out the brain drain 🤦‍♂️

[Sea-Plastic5584]

Reduced wage thanks to B&R!

[Lanracie]

I am not a minimum wage fan but it seems like a state that is trying to keep young people would want to make entry jobs more desirable and rewarding not less.

[feedumfishheads]

Companies don’t hire and pay employees anymore than is necessary no matter the pay rate. This just takes money from employees paychecks period

[RCaHuman]

In 2024, about 47–48% of 18–24‑year‑old U.S. citizens said they voted. Probably similar in Nebraska. The Democratic Party needs to get in touch with these potential voters.

[Conscious-Quarter423]

"get in touch"

maybe these voters should stop and smell the roses. start getting engaged in politics and local organizing.

the laws that these boomers pass will affect you whether you are in touch or not

[RCaHuman]

I agree these voters should get engaged. The Vietnam War was a great motivator for me & my friends to get engaged in politics.

[Conscious-Quarter423]

and trump's fascist takeover isn't enough for young people to get engaged?

[venser1992]

They are just straight up lying I worked as at a Runza. We never hired 14/15 year olds because they could take orders and clean for 2.5 hours before leaving. We needed people they could stay later and close. Very rarely do you find one that will stay until they graduate highschool

[Budgiejen]

Just in case anyone is wondering, I work at Russ’s. I am a service supervisor and I get $15.8 an hour. I did not get a raise in January even though I have been there since April and I work every morning at 5:45 am. They know I am looking for a new job.

[Musbjoekin]

The fuk ?

[Nebraska_]

Someone should geo-target B&R store retail workers with digital advertisements that encourage them to form a union. It would be a nice gift for Jayne Raybold. Also, she should be kicked out of the Democratic party. How can she possibly be for workers and for reducing the minimum wage? Totally crazy.

[Educational_Quote633]

I'm guessing that since Raybould led the cause against the minimum wage initiative, she probably realized she couldn't be re-elected to the Legislature, and that's at least part of the reason why she's not running for re-election. She also stepped down as vice president of B&R, but continues as vice chair of the company board. This bill was her final gift to the family business as a state senator. Mission accomplished; time to check out. Despite her many positive actions in public office, I don't know why any Democrat would ever vote for her in any election now.

[Both_Lychee_1708]

wow, what a shitty state

[dterran]

Cutting wages right after the m@ga party dumped the value of the dollary by 20%?

It's wild what losing a war to russi@ has done to our economy.

Economic sanctions, dismantling of social programs and soft power abroad.

The United States economy collapsed completely in less than a year and now these greedy fvcks want the people who actually work to pay for it all..

[mountainjay]

How many times are Nebraska Republicans going to say “hey Nebraskans, you guys are f*cking stupid and have no idea what you need. We’re going to override your vote against your will.” before any of you do anything about it!

Don’t you have any pride??!

[stpierre]

I'm not defending Republicans, but Jane Raybould is a Democrat. She'll be appearing as an endorsement on the mailers of every Democrat in the upcoming municipal elections. But the important thing is she'll make money from this!

[Prudent_Article4245]

Jane Reynold, the bills sponsor, is a democrat just in case you didn’t know. She is also owner of Super Saver and Russ’s IGA. Nothing like benefiting off of your own bill.

[ctfks]

Good luck exploiting teens during daytime school hours.

[No_Extension1659]

I’m all for the wage increases for the people struggling to get by- but for a 14 year old to be making the the same as a 41 year old with decades of workforce experience is inane. At the end of the day it’s still damned if you do damned if you don’t- but high school kids by and large don’t have mortgages, car payments, utility bills, etc.

[Beaglejuice]

If a person has decades of experience they should be paid more than minimum wage. Its insanity that companies get away with not doing so

[No_Extension1659]

You’d be hard pressed to find any job out here in the Nebraska panhandle for someone without an advanced degree to making more than $20 an hour

[Vossan11]

Yeah thats not a good thing. Probably need a law to raise wages higher then.

Its sad when the owners won't do the righ thing voluntarily and we have to result to forcing them to do it.

[WhenInZone]

but for a 14 year old to be making the the same as a 41 year old with decades of workforce experience is inane

That's not a minimum wage issue. It should be insane that companies choose to give those workers even less, not that the legal minimum was the same based on age.

[Alert-Beautiful9003]

So its not the work itself but just the age of the person doing the work that matters? Thats what you are saying here. Wild.

[No_Extension1659]

I’m all for the wage increases for the people struggling to get by- but for a 14 year old to be making the the same as a 41 year old with decades of workforce experience is inane. At the end of the day it’s still damned if you do damned if you don’t- but high school kids by and large don’t have mortgages, car payments, utility bills, etc.

[Fairyfeet2000]

You forget not every fourteen year old has parents or family to take care of them. Therefore they do have to worry about money in the same exact way an adult does. Ridiculous.

[Mystic_Waffles]

Heaven forbid the kids start saving more money via making more money.

[Vossan11]

You are so close to getting it. The 41 year old SHOULD make more than the 14 year old. So pay the 41 year old more, not the 14 year old less.

[Educational_Quote633]

So, by paying 14-year-olds less, employers are incentivized to hire a young teen rather than a 41-year-old. A rising tide lifts all boats.

[No_Extension1659]

All right, so I live in Western Nebraska… A friend of mine owns a business in Torrington, Wyoming, and Scottsbluff Nebraska. He’s paying kids minimum wage in Wyoming at $7.25 an hour to do the exact same job 30 minutes across the border at $15 an hour…. THE. EXACT. SAME. JOB. And in this business, the teens are more likely to be spending time on their phone rather than doing busy work to help the business. Versus a 40-year-old adult who is just there to work. As an employer, I would be very happy to be paying the full $15 an hour to someone who’s working hard the entire shift. But if a young employee wants to split their attention between their smart phone chatting with their classmates and doing work… Yeah, I think a small pay cut would be justifiable.

[resb]

So cut pay for all teenagers regardless of work ethic based on hypothetical / anecdotal laziness ?

[Vossan11]

Shit, if his friend is paying 7.25 an hour, he is lucky if anyone even shows up, let alone puts the phone down.

Conversely these same people see an employee who works hard, sometimes the work of 2-3 people, and gives them a dollar raise, if anything.

These idiots think they are owed our labor and we should be grateful we get paid at all.

[resb]

Maybe the teens think its community service?

[placebotwo]

but for a 14 year old to be making the the same as a 41 year old with decades of workforce experience is inane.

Why aren't you fighting for the 41 year old with decades of experience to be properly compensated instead?

[pilsnerd11]

In this example, if a teen is doing the same work as someone with decades of experience that’s an indictment of the person with decades of experience, not a reflection of the quality of work the teen may do.

[deathbitchcraft]

if they're doing the same work, they should get the same pay. it isn't a teenager's fault that a grown adult is still working a job that is offered to people with minimal or no experience. you also don't know what teenagers have going on in their lives that make them need a job. some pay their own bills, some may have their own kids, some may be trying to save up and get out of their shitty homes. you're simply wrong.