Survey finds Mississippians support minimum wage increase

by

Desare Frazier

• Published on March 24, 2021 • Last modified on March 23, 2021 • Comments

Activists appeal for $15.00 minimum wage near U.S Capitol, Feb. 25, 2021
Associated Press

A newly released survey finds the majority of Mississippians are growing in their support for raising the minimum wage; with many leaning towards $15.00 per hour.

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Mississippi doesn’t have a state minimum wage and defaults to the federal one, which is $7.25 per hour. According to the quarterly Millsaps College Chism Strategies State of the State Survey, 70 percent of Mississippians think the minimum wage should be increased and support making it $15.00 per hour. Millsaps Political Science Professor Nathan Shrader says he thinks Mississippians are being influenced by what they’re hearing from other people.

“They’re responding to things that they’re hearing and seeing nationally and things they’re hearing and seeing from people who are earning that wage who are explaining why that $7.25 amount that they’re getting paid now is not enough to maybe pay their rent and pay the food bills or put their kids through school,” said Shrader.

Shrader says of those surveyed 25 percent don’t support raising the minimum wage, a percentage that has remained constant. Bills seeking to increase the hourly wage in Mississippi have failed in the state legislature.