When Dan Jones & Associates asked Utah voters about raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to just over $10 per hour, 41% of them agreed it would be a good idea.
41% said no, it wouldn’t. More than 80% of Utahns who identify themselves as liberal wanted to see the minimum wage increased, but less than a quarter of those who call themselves conservative thought it should happen.
Voter responses to the minimum wage and other questions are outlined in a research brief published today by Utah Foundation. The issue of jobs and the economy ranked #5 on the top ten list created as part of the 2016 Utah Priorities Project, an election-year assessment of the issues most important to Utah voters.
The research brief also shows the earnings of 74% of Utahns are above the “living wage” calculated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By that standard, Utah ranks 31st in the nation. At the same time, the earnings of only 5% of Utahns fell below the federal poverty standard. That ranks 8th in the nation.
