Burke Within Striking Position To Defeat Walker

MILWAUKEE— A large majority of voters support raising the minimum wage, which continues to undergird voter support for Mary Burke. Scott Walker refused to even consider raising the minimum wage, and his stagnant poll numbers remain well below 50%, according to the Marquette University Law School poll. Walker is up 46%-45% among registered voters ahead of next week’s election, but 59 percent support raising the minimum wage.

“Walker can’t even talk to us to find out what it’s like trying to live on our wages, but he’s going to hear us on November 4,” said Roman Fletcher, a fast-food worker who is currently homeless.

Walker’s administration was asked by Fletcher and dozens of other workers to consider raising the minimum wage because the current $7.25 an hour rate does not qualify as a “living wage” as required by state law. Walker refused, declared $7.25 to be a living wage, said the state “does not have a jobs problem,” and that the minimum wage “serves no purpose.” Fletcher and others have since sued the state alleging Walker broke the law in refusing to consider his valid, legal complaint, and asking a judge to force an increase in the minimum wage.

“It’s no coincidence that Scott Walker’s campaign has sputtered since he broke the law and refused to give workers a raise,” said Jon Green, deputy director of Working Families. “Scott Walker is not looking out for working people and middle-class families. It’s time for a change and the minimum wage issue will be what elects Mary Burke.”

The latest Marquette University Law School poll also found continued support for increasing Wisconsin’s minimum wage. A large majority of voters said they want to increase Wisconsin’s minimum wage, results consistent with previous polls.

“Voters know that increasing the minimum will boost Wisconsin’s economy from the bottom up,” said Raise WI Director Peter Rickman. “The vast majority of Wisconsin citizens agree with Mary Burke that it is time to raise the minimum wage, and that is why she has the momentum in the final days of the campaign.”