COLUMBUS, Ohio — Voters in Ohio won’t see a $15 minimum wage initiative on the ballot in November.
“I’m a little jaded to not see it on the ballot. I was hoping to vote for it,” said Carter Black, an Ohio resident.
Raise the Wage Ohio failed to submit enough signatures for the ballot initiative. But the organization could try again next year.
10TV spoke to people in the Short North about what they think about the possibility of a 15-dollar minimum wage. Anna Evan said she signed the initiative and supports it.
“Inflation is kind of bonkers these days. You have to be able to pay for groceries, pay for rent,” said Evans.
For some, it's personal.
“I know first-hand that it's not enough money to support one-self living here in Columbus. It’s not feasible. It's not enough for food, rent, living expenses,” said Black.
But other people said they worry about the side effects of having a $15 minimum wage.
Jonathan Kipfer, a server in the Short North said he wishes he could support it, but is too worried about the prices of other things also going up.
“I feel as if increasing the minimum wage isn’t going to solve the problem we have of having to pay more for certain things such as an increase for food, gas prices, just about anything,” he said. “As much as I want to be paid more, I don’t want to pay more for the things that already cost a lot of money,” Kipfer added.
One man said he thinks a higher minimum wage would take away the opportunity for some people to work.
“A minimum wage is not intended to be a living wage where you can support a family on. Those are typically meant for entry level jobs,” said Brett, an Ohio resident. “It’s a complete gutting of companies,” he said.
But, he feels the people of Ohio should get to decide what the minimum wage is.
“I believe it should be something that should be voted on. I don’t agree on a high mandate on a minimum wage, but I do think people should be able to vote on that,” said Brett.
The Ohio Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance was strongly against the initiative. They said it would have hurt servers and bartenders.
10TV reached out to Raise the Wage Ohio for a comment but has not yet heard back because of the holiday.