Horner agrees with Emmer on server pay — sort of
Wednesday, July 07, 2010 at 12:25 pm
- 9 Comments
Tom Horner
Updated: Independence Party candidate Tom Horner told MinnPost on Wednesday that he agreed that a tip credit would be “part of the solution” in the hospitality industry. GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer has been taking flack from unions and DFLers for saying that the minimum wage for tip-earners should be lowered — and for professing that some waters and bartenders make “over $100,000 a year.” Horner said he doesn’t agree with Emmer’s tone.
“Rep. Emmer’s insensitivity to the many hospitality workers who are struggling to earn a decent living is how ideological politics are dividing Minnesotans,” Horner told Minnpost’s David Brauer. “Tip credit is part of the solution needed to sustain jobs in the hospitality industry, but it shouldn’t be a rationale to pay less-than-minimum-wages.”
Horner added, “You have to strike a balance between [owners] operating at razor-thin margins and workers operating at the bottom of the pay scale. There’s potentially a middle ground.”
Updated: Horner adds in a new post by Brauer that he wouldn’t lower the minimum wage cap, but simply create a floor at the current minimum wage.
“There likely are other good policy solutions — none of which put me in the camp of wanting to pay less than the state’s minimum wage or ignoring the very real challenges facing hospitality employers operating with razor-thin margins.”
He outlined his thoughts:
- A “go-forward” approach in which a tip credit is applied only to increases in the federal minimum wage ($7.25 an hour, which applies to many hospitality businesses, not Minnesota’s lower standard). Minnesota hospitality workers still would earn no less than the state’s minimum wage, and more with tips.
- A phased in tip credit based on a person’s income. Again, this would guarantee that hospitality workers earn no less than minimum wage.
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter9 Comments
Comment posted July 7, 2010 @ 12:36 pm
With all due respect, Mr. Horner (whatever that may be), that wishy-washy comment is what we would expect from a politician too afraid to state an honest opinion for fear it may offend a potential voter.
And for the record, Mr. Emmer’s “tone” was one of brutal honesty, which is why you probably didn’t recognize it.
Comment posted July 7, 2010 @ 1:05 pm
What is the problem in the hospitality industry that needs a solution? Employees making to much money and getting uppity or something?
Comment posted July 7, 2010 @ 1:33 pm
Well there is that whole slavery being illegal thing to correct. I’m certain that Idiot Emmer has plans to institute it as soon as he passes those laws separating Minnesota from federal controls.
Comment posted July 7, 2010 @ 1:44 pm
Probably another millionaire politician with too much time on his hands.Let’s screw the little guy once again!Politicians are such disgusting vermin!!
Comment posted July 7, 2010 @ 2:13 pm
I read Brauer’s article, and his follow up from Horner. Horner is saying he wouldn’t cut current minimum wages, but he would deny increases to workers who get tips. That’s not as bad as Emmer, but it’s basically the same, so I think Brauer explained Horner’s position correctly.
Also, no more “tip credit”. It penalizes workers who get tips, so let’s be honest all call it the “tip penalty”. Let’s also eliminate it from federal law.
Since the restaurant owner denies telling Emmer some waiters get $100,000/year, Emmer should be held accountable for believing and spreading such obvious nonsense.
Comment posted July 7, 2010 @ 2:14 pm
Yes, what exactly IS the problem with the hospitality industry? Is it that tipped employees aren’t worth the money they make? Is a corporate executive overpaid and that is what could be wrong with many companies failing and huge layoffs? This nonsense of restaurant workers making over $100,000 a year is what has all these rich, elitist politicians with their panties in a bunch. Which, by the way, Mr. Emmer is not true and once again you using a lie to gain support from a very small elite group of people and those same people are who can afford to go out to eat and probably would love to see restaurant workers make less money.
Comment posted July 7, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
If the truth about “tip credits” helps defeat it’s supporters, then it really would be “part of the solution” – as a red flag.
These buffoons have even dropped the $30/month tip minimum requirement from the 2006 attempt to stick this knife.
Comment posted July 7, 2010 @ 3:32 pm
We already have the lowest minimum wage in the country, and now they want to take 60% off the bottom?
Is this the greatest mockery of a Labor Day Sale ever, or what?
Comment posted July 8, 2010 @ 5:58 pm
Horner is a Republican hiding as an Independent .. Don’t let this Ex GOP freak try and fool you.. He is a typical union bashing, America hating, China supporting REPUBLICAN..
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