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November 8, 2009

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Letter: Lawmakers boost high dropout rate

Monday, March 7, 2005 | 9:03 a.m.

Congratulations to the Nevada Assembly, which, by approving an increase in the minimum wage, has subsidized an abominable high-school dropout rate on the backs of Nevada employers.

The Assembly's message to employers is that they must pay more for less. What marketable skills has an employee who can barely follow instructions, let alone draft a literate document, because they chose not to complete their high-school education? Did Assembly members interview any minimum-wage job candidates before approving their increase? I'm in the mergers and acquisitions business, and I'm a fellow of the International Business Brokers Association. I don't run my business like that, and I don't believe the members of the Assembly run their personal businesses like that either.

I hope the Nevada Senate will also grant the increase, but stipulate that a basic skill level -- perhaps a high school or general equivalency diploma -- is required to qualify for the higher minimum wage. Then, perhaps, the Legislature will have upgraded our work force and created an incentive for Nevada students to stay in school -- a win-win for all.

FRITZ CLAYTON

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