[poochee]

Life on $6.75 an hour: When ends don't meet
Minimum-wage earners often one step from homelessness

Published 12:01 am PDT Sunday, June 18, 2006

Monique Garcia earned minimum wage for most of a decade before becoming homeless. She washed dishes, swept floors, collected parking tickets, worked cash registers, staffed drive-through windows and flipped burgers. Despite that, two months ago the 26-year-old single mom found herself with too little money for rent and no place to go.

She moved with her 7-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son into St. John's, a family shelter tucked into an industrial corner of Sacramento. They share a room with another minimum-wage worker and her two young children. Garcia and her roommate trade off, one watching the kids while the other works.

"It's hard, you've got a family to support and minimum wage isn't cutting it," Garcia said last week.

As the gulf between what they earn and what they owe continues to grow, many of the region's minimum-wage workers have turned to food banks for sustenance. Some, like Garcia, have moved into homeless shelters or cars for housing.

These workers welcome Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to hike the minimum wage by a dollar, to $7.75 an hour. They cheer a separate plan proposed by state legislators -- and supported by many labor groups -- that would ensure the minimum wage increases each year to keep pace with inflation. About 1.4 million of the state's lowest-paid workers would be affected.

California's minimum wage is lower than that of more than half a dozen states, but is higher than the federal minimum of $5.15 an hour. Washington state has the highest minimum at $7.63 an hour, and it is indexed to inflation.

California's Industrial Welfare Commission is scheduled to consider the proposals early next month. Many business groups oppose a minimum wage increase because it could force increases for higher-paid employees, as well, and might cause some small businesses to close.

According to a report published earlier this year by the California Budget Project, a nonprofit group that conducts economic and policy analysis to benefit the poor, the purchasing power of the minimum wage has dropped $0.88 since 2002, a decline of 11.5 percent.

Advocates for the working poor say earnings have slipped so far out of sync with the cost of living that the proposals are unlikely to remedy families' deep financial distress. Barring a drastic policy change, they say workers like Garcia will continue to struggle mightily under the ballooning costs of health care, transportation, child care and housing.

"I hope I am wrong," said Ralph Gonzalez, a social worker with the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance. "I hope with the increase of the minimum wage we can get it. But with all my years of experience, I really doubt it. I really do."

Another California Budget Project report, this one released in September 2005, estimated that a single adult in the Sacramento region needed to earn about $11.61 an hour, or $24,151 a year, to cover housing, utilities, transportation, food, health care, taxes and miscellaneous expenses. They calculated that a single parent raising two children, such as Garcia, would need to earn $24.17 an hour, or $50,272 annually, to cover basic expenses.

Minimum-wage earners patch together strategies to make ends meet: some cram into one-bedroom apartments shared by multiple families. Many work two or three jobs. They run up debt to pay medical bills, buy clothing at rummage sales and visit food banks when there's nothing left to eat. Many teeter on the edge of homelessness until, like Garcia, they fall off.

Garcia has round brown eyes, a long ponytail and the names of her children, Yesenia and Joshua, tattooed over her heart. Until last week, she worked about 15 hours a week at Round Table Pizza. Now she's applying at Del Taco and Wal-Mart and a discount store. She's worked full-time in the past and would like more hours, but recently hasn't been able to get them. She's afraid to take a second job because her absence already is hard on her children. For the same reason, she finds it difficult to complete the coursework she needs for a GED, virtually a requisite for most better-paying jobs.

That leaves her with about $190 every two weeks, after taxes, she said. Even with a $300 monthly check from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families for her 7-year-old daughter, and a monthly $300 in food stamps, she doesn't have enough to rent an apartment.

To even consider an application, most landlords want her to earn at least double the rent. The cheapest one-bedroom she's seen is in North Highlands, for $400.

John Foley, executive director of Sacramento Self Help Housing, said most landlords in Sacramento actually require tenants to make 2.7 times the rent. Most refuse to rent to people with any history of evictions or bad credit.

"It's legal to have those criteria," he said. "But, of course, they really crunch the poor."

He said it is especially disconcerting that workers in Sacramento cannot afford rent, because the region is relatively affordable compared with much of the rest of the state.

"We ought to be able to fix it here," he said. "That's what's so shameful."

Health care costs, which increase more than 7 percent each year across the country, also pinch the working poor. Some workers, like Garcia, receive Medi-Cal. But, for a whole host of reasons, many others are ineligible for government programs.

Marina Aguilar, an uninsured Der Wienerschnitzel worker, knows intimately the burden of medical bills. She says her husband, an asthmatic, was admitted to a local hospital overnight after a severe attack two years ago. He was uninsured, and the bill for his short stay came to $5,000. For two years, Aguilar says, she and her husband -- who lays tile for a living -- have paid $100 every month on that bill. So far, they've paid more than $2,000, but they still owe about $4,000 because of interest.

Aguilar, a 37-year-old mother of three, earns minimum wage working 30 to 35 hours a week. Her husband is now insured, but she is not covered by his plan. Last month, her doctor told her there was something in her breast that needed to be biopsied. The biopsy alone would cost $5,000. Her mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister all had cancer; the risk is clear.

"I'm worried, because if I have cancer, cancer spreads very quickly," she said in Spanish as she sat in her sister-in-law's lace-curtained home across the street from the Sacramento Food Bank.

THE COST OF LIVING

$5.15 federal minimum hourly wage
$6.75 California's minimum hourly wage

$7.63 Washington state's minimum hourly wage, the highest in the nation and indexed for inflation

$11.61 hourly wage a single adult in the Sacramento region needs to cover basic living expenses*

$24.17 hourly wage a single parent raising two children in this region needs to cover basic living expenses*

* Data compiled by the California Budget Project and released in September 2005. Basic living expenses are defined as: housing, utilities, transportation, food, health care, taxes and miscellaneous expenses.

Rest of article at: www.sacbee.com

[katonca]

To be honest, I'm not sure I feel sorry for those that are able-bodied, had a chance for a good education, and are stuck in a meaningless low paying job. They still have a chance to pull themselves out of despair, by working hard (er) and climbing the ladder.

Where I think the real tragedy lies are with the elderly and the disabled. They are at the mercy of the government (in most cases). The eldely and the disabled can't improve their financial situation (in most cases) and as inflation rises....well you know the story.

Sorry, hi poochee

[Fidelista]

Originally Posted by katonca

To be honest, I'm not sure I feel sorry for those that are able-bodied, had a chance for a good education, and are stuck in a meaningless low paying job. They still have a chance to pull themselves out of despair, by working hard (er) and climbing the ladder.

Where I think the real tragedy lies are with the elderly and the disabled. They are at the mercy of the government (in most cases). The eldely and the disabled can't improve their financial situation (in most cases) and as inflation rises....well you know the story.

Sorry, hi poochee

I agree with you in regard to those who cannot help themselves ,of course, but I don't believe that is poochees point.
Lets engage in fantasy for a moment. Lets say every able bodied person applies for a job-- everyone begins getting a advanced education, everyone begins to work harder, everyone climbs the "ladder" all starting today.
Will everyone wind up at the top????
Or will there still be need for dishwashers, someone to clean the crappers, do the labor that is looked down upon?.
Of course this is fantasy, but so is the idea that everybody can achieve the American dream--reach the top of ladder---it just will not work that way---ever---anywhere.
I understand what Poochee's concerns are {I think} and they are important .
I admire that concern , and it reflects poochees other beliefs.
"The poor we will always have with us", doesn't mean to hell with them.
I have always believed in NO FREE RIDE -- welfare for able bodied.
Public works should be provided--{I know --socialist }
I am tired of seeing young able bodied people sit on *** all day long and wait on govt check ---without contributing anything.
It is a terrible thing beyond economic price. It makes a seperate class of people with no stake in the nation---and NO PRIDE in themselves. Another subject, but one which come back and bite everyone one day.
When people work hard for living , they should be able to take care of themselves---thats what min wage is all about. There should not be homeless or near homeless workers.
I think I understand poochee's position and i applaud it.
Looks to me like poochee is trying to put beliefs to work!. >f

[iltos]

Originally Posted by Fidelista

Lets engage in fantasy for a moment. Lets say every able bodied person applies for a job-- everyone begins getting a advanced education, everyone begins to work harder, everyone climbs the "ladder" all starting today.
Will everyone wind up at the top????
Or will there still be need for dishwashers, someone to clean the crappers, do the labor that is looked down upon?.
Of course this is fantasy, but so is the idea that everybody can achieve the American dream--reach the top of ladder---it just will not work that way---ever---anywhere.

well said, Fidelista....the homeless have their numbers which are unemployed engineers...to generalize this situation from either standpoint is to dismiss it....there is no economic or political "fix" -throwing money into social programs won't fix it, standing on your own two feet and pointing out the work ethic won't fix it

it is just another fantasy to believe that either solution will make things all better....they are both products of "bottom line" thinking, thinking that seeks the most efficient solution from the standpoint of cost/benefit....they are dependant on only the most rudimentary forms of human interaction and involvement, as so are essentially incapable of acting with understanding, compassion....and mercy.

imo, this is the entire point of poochee's arguements re: minimum wage laws, poverty, and all the rest of it....

and until we deal with this issue as one of our society....not a gov issue labelled "social", or an private issue labelled "personal morality", our working poor will be a festering sore on the underbelly of the american dream that we will continue to try and conceal with our high and mighty robes, or treat with the ointment of bureacracy.....

[katonca]

I agree with poochee that the welfare of fellow human beings (homelessness, hunger, despairity) should be everyones concern.

I have a nephew who dropped out of school, in trouble with the law, no job, etc. He's 18 and his mom continues to support him. I keep seeing this situation played out over and over in my mind. Those who are abled bodied but just not willing to go the extra mile.

At least those with families that are down and out can receive a form of public assistance of one sort or another. It's just too bad that the government isn't better at matching the need with the benefit.

[katonca]

Originally Posted by iltos

our working poor will be a festering sore on the underbelly of the american dream that we will continue to try and conceal with our high and might robes, or treat with the ointment of bureacracy.....

Was that from Star Trek IV "the rath of kahn"?

Hi iltos

[iltos]

Originally Posted by katonca

I agree with poochee that the welfare of fellow human beings (homelessness, hunger, despairity) should be everyones concern.

I have a nephew who dropped out of school, in trouble with the law, no job, etc. He's 18 and his mom continues to support him. I keep seeing this situation played out over and over in my mind. Those who are abled bodied but just not willing to go the extra mile.

At least those with families that are down and out can receive a form of public assistance of one sort or another. It's just too bad that the government isn't better at matching the need with the benefit.

yep....a paradox, all righty....i wonder, tho, if we can AFFORD a gov program that could look at circumstances so individually, when we already have a slew of grownups out there (parents) who are willing to provide welfare....maybe we should just shift the burden...i have much less of a problem with a mom who chooses to support her adult child...it is an individual dance...who am i to judge it (unless one or the other starts complaining to me about it)

[iltos]

Originally Posted by katonca

Was that from Star Trek IV "the rath of kahn"?

Hi iltos

hi katonca..
you think they renamed it to the "wrath of iltos"?

[katonca]

Originally Posted by iltos

maybe we should just shift the burden...i have much less of a problem with a mom who chooses to support her adult child

That's a tough call to make. Who's responsibility is that boy (mother, societies, no ones). I say no one but his own.

I'm too young to remember this but I understand that years ago (50 years plus) the welfare of the poor was placed with the churches of the nation. The church provided assistance and of course, that led to the "down and out" receiving spiritual guidance and hence "hope". Once you have "hope", watch out, the next thing you know people are off of assistance and the democratic party is out of a job. (last part was a joke)

you think they renamed it to the "wrath of iltos"?

[katonca]

Time to eat, talk to you later.

[iltos]

Originally Posted by katonca

That's a tough call to make. Who's responsibility is that boy (mother, societies, no ones). I say no one but his own.

personally, i agree....my judgement in situations like these is that good ol mom forgot to learn something along the way, and so was never able to teach it

so the first place that i look is our education system, whose intent seems to be to fill kids with facts, and ignore any application of these facts to anything but test scores

and most of us seem to have bought this 'education' hook, line, and sinker....we worry more about the test scores than whether our kids are interested in learning anything....maybe not, actually...maybe we all know that are kids aren't really learning anything, and so rush to fill their childhood's with meaning in other areas

what, exactly, is the value of all this supposed to be?...i use to think it was exposing those precious minds to all the wonderful stuff out there.....but what i see is, that, for the most part, it's to satisfy some need in us grownups, some need to provide something that we can no longer identify....so we try everything.....

maybe you're right...maybe it is hope that we're looking for....wow, that's sad....

it speaks to me of a fundamental failure in our current version of america to address relationship, in its broadest term, and across many seemingly unrelated issues.

a harsh and very general judgement, to be sure, but it stinks of the truth for me.

[Fidelista]

Originally Posted by katonca

That's a tough call to make. Who's responsibility is that boy (mother, societies, no ones). I say no one but his own.

I'm too young to remember this but I understand that years ago (50 years plus) the welfare of the poor was placed with the churches of the nation. The church provided assistance and of course, that led to the "down and out" receiving spiritual guidance and hence "hope". Once you have "hope", watch out, the next thing you know people are off of assistance and the democratic party is out of a job. (last part was a joke)

The last place that responsabilty for the well being of citizens should be ---is the church.
The responsabilty rests with all of us---citizens --inc me-- I am not religious.
The "good old days" were not as good as some would think---if they read history, its obvious.
I am however , influenced? by Christian teaching {NT}--- the overall message.
Keep in mind , the problem is growing , and Church couldn't deal with even in the 20's 30's---now impossible ,and a way to shift responsabilty. Its all our responceabilty.
It all comes down to greed .
I remember my first reaction to my wifes donations to victims of the hurricane Hugo and to Catholic charities
We are all affected with greed, and I am ashamed of mine.
If a few extra $$$ can help , in a CONSTRUCTIVE way---send me a bill---I want to sleep well. I expect that of this GOVT.>f

[katonca]

Originally Posted by Fidelista

If a few extra $$$ can help , in a CONSTRUCTIVE way---send me a bill---I want to sleep well. I expect that of this GOVT.>f

I guess that would be the challenge, to allow the gov to constructively receive and allocate funds. They just don't know how.

[katonca]

Originally Posted by iltos

so the first place that i look is our education system, whose intent seems to be to fill kids with facts, and ignore any application of these facts to anything but test scores.

No doubt about it. You're involved with the kids in your school district, do they speak of their hopes and dreams and what they want to do when they leave HS? I know we always did. But it seems that the encouragement at the education level was inadequate. Maybe it was just my school system that failed us. Maybe they should explore the childs interest further and help point them in the correct direction to accomplish their goals. Too many kids just drifting.

Maybe I've been out of school to long.

[poochee]

Hopefully, the minimum wage will be increased. It's in the works.