If these other states are doing so, then
why can’t Texas? Texas is the 2nd most populous state in the nation
and also having 4 of its largest cities, all of which bring in millions of
dollars in taxes every year for the state. With all this, one would think that eliminating
or increasing the tipped minimum wage would be something the state would do to
help balance out the rising cost of living for its service industry residents. Instead
of this, the state requires their service industry workers to pay for a
certification that allows them to serve and sell alcohol while counties such as
Travis county, also requires workers to have a food handlers certification that
one not only must pay for the class, but also has to pay to get it registered
with the city.
If you ask me, it’s all about the Benjamins.
Why else would the state continue to hold both the minimum wages at the bare
minimum in an economy that continues to be on the rise? With an increase or
elimination of the tipped minimum wage, workers would be making more money,
which in turn means they’ll be spending more, which means the state gets more
in taxes. But most importantly would give us service workers a chance at a better
life, because living off just tips can prove to be very difficult for some. Especially,
when diners aren’t aware the amount per hour we are making, and when they think
that 15% is an acceptable amount to leave as a tip. I’m sure at one point 15%
was an acceptable amount to tip but now-a-days it’s barely scraping by. Maybe
it just comes down to voters not being educated when it comes to the amount of
money tipped workers get paid an hour. Either way, it’s in everyone’s best
interests, including the state, to finally get rid of or raise the minimum wage
for its tipped workers.
I agree! I think we should eliminate the "tipped minimum wage" all together. My wife's family owns a restaurant and she works there as a server, most of the work she does during her shift is before or after the restaurant even opens, so she isn't getting any tips during the majority of her shifts when she opens or closes the restaurant. $2.13/hr doesn't even cover a gallon of gas anymore! Honestly, I think we should raise the minimum wage as well, and due away with tipping all together. I read an article recently about a few restaurants doing away with tipping and just paying their servers more hourly and it really improved their business and customer service. Not only is $2.13/hr plus tips way too little to live off, that is only assuming everyone tips, at least 15% which rarely happens anymore anyway because, as you said, most people don't realize these servers are paid so little.
ReplyDeleteI definitely have to agree with what Lonestar State of Mind had to say about cutting tips and raising minimum wages. Obviously, the United States is growing rapidly and getting more advanced as the years go by. Prices continue to increase on gadgets, homes, gas, etc. as minimum wage still stands at $7.25 an hour which is hardly getting anyone anywhere. A few years ago, it actually surprised me to find out that waiters/waitresses mostly make their money off of tips and barely make minimum wage by the hour, which in my opinion was sort of ridiculous. Just recently, Washington raised their minimum wage to $15 an hour, which I think is an acceptable minimum wage. If Washington rose their minimum wage, why can't other states like Texas realize that raising the minimum wage will help so much with those struggling to pay their bills or pay rent if living alone. I agree with eliminating tipping and definitely raising minimum wage because some can not even live off of minimum wage plus tip now a days.
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