More than 74% in Eastern Kentucky favor minimum wage increase
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2016) — Sixty-eight percent of Kentuckians—and more than 74 percent in Eastern Kentucky—favor raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, according to the Kentucky Health Issues Poll (KHIP) from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and Interact for Health.
Gov. Matt Bevin in December 2015 repealed a July 2015 executive order from Gov. Steve Beshear to raise the minimum wage to $10.10. Lexington in November 2015 voted to raise the minimum wage, while higher minimum wage began in July 2015 in Louisville.
“Each year, KHIP provides a snapshot of Kentuckians’ opinions on various health-related topics,” said Susan Zepeda, president/CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. “Support for an increase in the minimum wage is consistent with findings of other research that shows a correlation among higher income, improved health care access and improved health.”
The poll consisted of 986 landline interviews and 622 cell phone interviews.
KHIP highlights include:
- Support was highest in Eastern Kentucky where more than 74 percent favor an increase to $10.10 per hour.
- 84 percent of those who identified themselves as Democrats support a $10.10 minimum wage while 77 percent of Independents and 51 percent of Republicans were favorable.
- Women (72 percent) were more likely than men (64 percent) to support a higher minimum wage.
- 79 percent of Kentucky adults age 65 and older favor a minimum wage increase while 52 percent of those 18-29 said they’re supportive.
- Those with less than a high school education (82 percent) were most supportive; 59 percent of college graduates said they favor a $10.10 per hour minimum wage.
Add Comment