Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Minimum wage in Texas pays $7.25 an hour, well below a livable wage and far lower than minimum hourly pay in most states.

Low-wage workers are hoping for more as Joe Biden's proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 gains traction in Congress. bit.ly/3thOz9O

2/ The latest bill introduced by U.S. House and Senate Democrats would increase the minimum wage gradually to $15 an hour by 2025.

About 4.5 million Texans’ wages could benefit from that increase, according to 2019 data from the nonprofit think tank Economic Policy Institute.

3/ Monique Warren, who works as an airport baggage handler, has seen her job responsibilities expand during the pandemic as she tries to keep herself and others at the airport safe.

But her pay — $9 an hour — hasn’t changed.

4/ Democratic Texas lawmakers have tried for years to raise the state’s minimum wage above the federal threshold, but their attempts have gained virtually no traction with the #txlege.

5/ Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who works with lawmakers to set priorities for the GOP-controlled Legislature, opposes that increase.

Some small businesses would likely be forced to layoff some employees after a minimum wage increase, economists say.

6/ Janicia Marbray, a cafeteria worker and single mother of two, has taken extra steps to ensure safety and cleanliness during the pandemic.

But she does not receive extra hazard pay for working in person and still earns the same amount she made a year ago.

7/ Jennifer Owens, a mother of two boys, stocks grocery shelves at night, delivers food part-time and answers emails for an e-commerce company to support her family.

8/8 Economists and independent analysts are certain that hiking the minimum wage would have an impact on low-wage workers, especially those who have been considered essential during the pandemic.

Read more: bit.ly/3thOz9O