RI Future has the goods on the minimum wage bill, which passed with 315 in favor and 116 opposed. As a social worker helping mostly low-income families in the state, I can attest to the difficulties that people face when they are earning a low wage. As a fellow employee in social services, I have also observed how many entry level staff who work in human services have two full-time jobs to make ends meet, and they are making more than minimum wage. Rents are high and frequently absorb much more than 28% of income, which is the standard set for a good proportion of income to be spent on housing.

This is a step in the right direction.