Indeed, USA Today's Charisse Jones reports that attempts to raise minimum wage by congressional members could surge Democratic turnout on election day -and Pelosi has said raising the federal minimum wage for the 1.9 million workers — 2.5% of hourly earners — now earning the $5.15 (or less) is a priority if the Dems take control of Congress.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-09-minimum-wage_x.htmStates aim to raise minimum wage
By Charisse Jones, USA TODAY
Campaigns to raise the minimum wage are gaining ground in a dozen states during an election year in which some political activists say the issue could help swell Democratic voter turnout.
Seven state legislatures have raised the wage this year, and efforts are underway in six states to put similar proposals on the November ballot.<snip>
As campaigns for governorships and congressional seats heat up, the issue could attract liberal voters in November, just as measures outlawing gay marriage galvanized conservative voters in 2004.
"That kind of effort can really draw voters out to not only support the minimum wage but to support the candidates who support the minimum wage," says Oliver Griswold of the liberal Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, an advocacy group based in Washington.<snip>