Introduction to the New Minimum Wage Plan
Harris County commissioners have approved a plan to increase the minimum wage for county employees to $20 an hour and $21.65 for contracted employees. This decision was made on Thursday, March 27, 2025, and will take effect in May. The wage increase is expected to cost the county $5.4 million.
The Need for a Higher Minimum Wage
The last time the county approved a pay increase for workers was in 2019, when the minimum wage for county employees was adjusted to $15 an hour. However, advocates argue that this is not enough. Kara Levy, chair of the Harris County Essential Workers Board, emphasized the importance of a higher minimum wage, stating that "our essential workers, home healthcare aids, grocery clerks, childcare providers, restaurant staff and more keep this county running, yet many of them can’t afford to live here."
The Current State of Minimum Wage
The state of Texas has not adjusted the minimum wage since 2009, which remains at $7.25 an hour, the federal base established by the Fair Labor Standards Act. This has led to a significant gap between the minimum wage and the actual cost of living in Harris County. The proposal for county pay increases came after commissioners Rodney Ellis and Lesley Briones advocated for the pay adjustment, urging that workers should not have to work several jobs to "make ends meet."
The New Plan
The motion passed by the Harris County Commissioners Court calls for the minimum wage to be increased every year based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s living wage calculator. This scale estimates the local wage rate that a full-time worker requires to cover the costs of their basic needs. The increased wage for county contract employees is considered a livable wage for an adult living in Harris County with no children, according to the calculator.
Fighting for a Living Wage
Commissioner Ellis emphasized the importance of fighting for a living wage, stating that "everyone deserves a life of dignity" and that "hard-working families who powered the economy have continuously been denied a living wage." He also referenced the civil rights movement, stating that "this policy is a continuation of that fight that Dr. King led, and so many other civil rights leaders and liberal leaders who worked with him."
What the New Wage Means for Workers
The new minimum wage will have a significant impact on workers in Harris County. For example, an adult with three children would need to make $56.98 an hour for a livable wage, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s living wage calculator. The increased wage will help to ensure that workers can afford to live in the county and provide for their families.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the decision to increase the minimum wage for county employees and contracted employees is a significant step towards ensuring that workers in Harris County can afford to live and work in the county. The new plan, which will take effect in May, will cost the county $5.4 million and will be adjusted annually based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s living wage calculator. This decision is a victory for workers and advocates who have been fighting for a living wage, and it will have a positive impact on the community as a whole.
