From Sen. Webb's office...
Webb: "First Minimum Wage Increase in Over a Decade a Step Forward for Economic Fairness"172,000 Virginians to Benefit from Wage Increase
Washington, D.C. - Senator Webb today called the enactment of the first raise in the federal minimum wage in over a decade a "step forward for economic fairness in our country." The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 was one of the first bills that Webb co-sponsored in the Senate and is a centerpiece of his economic fairness agenda.
Over 172,000 of Virginia's workers will benefit from the legislation which raises the federal minimum wage from $5.15/hour to $7.25/hour in three phases over two years.
"Lower income workers are finally receiving the pay raise they deserve, and I'm proud to have supported it," said Webb. "By raising the minimum wage, we've taken an important step toward easing the burden facing American workers who are being squeezed by stagnant wages and a rising cost of living."
This is excellent news, and long overdue. Good work by the Democratic Congress to push this through!
Webb APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF EDUCATION BILLS THAT MAKE COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR VIRGINIANSWashington, DC-The nation's college students will have significant new resources for financial aid under two bills approved by the Senate, Senator Webb said today. The bills jointly simplify the federal aid process, forgive the debt of those who commit to public service after graduation, improve access to technology at Virginia's six historically black colleges, and provide $17 billion in additional college aid to students - the largest increase since the G.I. bill.
"Access to a quality education in this country is a prerequisite for economic opportunity and success. Today's passage of the Higher Education Act of 2007 makes secondary school education more accessible and affordable for more Americans," said Senator Webb.
"Most notably, the Senate unanimously agreed to include the grant program offered by Senator Warner and myself designed to improve technology in minority serving institutions, including the Commonwealth's six historically black colleges," continued Webb.
The Higher Education Authorization bill and the Higher Education Access Act of 2007 provide significant help to Virginia students:
* Increases Pell Grant Aid for Virginia's Students.
The Higher Education Act of 2007 raises need-based aid for students. For Virginians, that means an increase of $46 million in 2008 in total Pell grant aid for 98,486 students.
The bill increases the maximum students are eligible to receive in Pell grants to $5,100 by 2008 and to $5,400 by 2011.
* Simplifies the Financial Aid Process.
The Financial Aid Process can be a barrier to many students and parents in applying for college. Passage of these bills creates a new simpler FAFSA form, and creates a pilot program to inform parents and students on aid eligibility in their junior year of high school.
* Provides Loan Forgiveness and creates a Loan Repayment Program for Students who Work in Public Service.
The Higher Education Act of 2007 forgives the debt of borrowers who work in public service careers such as nursing, teaching, or law enforcement for 10 years. This bill also creates a student loan repayment for law school graduates who commit to serve for at least three years as criminal prosecutors, public defenders and legal service lawyers.
In Virginia, a starting teacher earning $33,200 with the state average loan debt of $16,558 could have loan payments capped at 15% - reducing his or her monthly payments by $56, from $191 to $135, a reduction of 29%. After 10 years of teaching, all remaining debt would be forgiven - in this case, a benefit worth $9,446.
* Makes the Federal Loan Process More Accountable.
These bills require that lenders provide students with a specific set of written disclosures prior to making a loan to a student. Lenders will now have to disclose information on interest rate and repayment options. In addition, lenders must provide annual reports to the Secretary of Education of any expense paid to an employee of an institution of higher education.
* Includes Warner/ Webb Grant Program to Close "Digital Divide" in Virginia's Six Historically Black Colleges.
The Higher Education Authorization bill establishes a grant program for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to assist them in bringing increased access to computers, technology, and the Internet to their student populations.
Specifically, the legislation creates a federal grant program for MSIs to acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware and software, digital network technology and wireless technology and infrastructure to develop and provide educational services.
The much needed increase in the minimum wage will increase the pay of many workers, but is a far cry from a dignified living wage.
The Dulles Rail (or better known as the Tysons Corner Rail) is a classic example of economic unfairness. The rail is to serve the large Tysons Corner landowners. The residential units spurting from this high density will certainly not be affordable to most of the people holding service jobs despite the increase in wages that Webb proposes.
Webb is certainly silent on this issue while he should be asking tough questions. As evidence by his past stands, Webb has never been shy before. But where is he on this one?