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Health & Fitness

Joining the push to raise Maryland's minimum wage

Dear Baltimoreans,

The scene at the State House in Annapolis last Wednesday resembled the first day of school, with lawmakers, staffers and advocates busy catching up with one another after a seven month break.

Among the many handshakes, smiles and chatter, were real opportunities for individuals to begin the process of advocating for legislation that would benefit their particular cause.

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I was proud to travel to Annapolis for Wednesday's opening session of the 2014 General Assembly and lend my voice in pursuit of legislation that would benefit the citizens of Baltimore.

High on my list of priorities during the 90-day session will be advancing legislation to raise the minimum wage and remove barriers to employment imposed on individuals with a non-violent criminal past.

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Here in Baltimore, raising the minimum wage would represent additional money for families to help pay for everyday necessities, like groceries and prescription medications. Many of these families, unfortunately, are struggling to gain a foothold in the middle class. For them, increasing the minimum wage means an opportunity to receive a fair salary in exchange for their hard work and daily contributions to growing Maryland's economy.

Over the coming weeks, members of the General Assembly will spend time debating the merits of increasing the minimum wage, and your voice is an invaluable tool to move the debate forward. That's why I'm asking every man and woman in the City of Baltimore to call, email, write, Tweet and Facebook your state legislators and tell them that you support an increase to Maryland's minimum wage.

For a list of your state elected officials, please click here.

 

Sincerely,

Jack.

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