Much Like Our Founding Fathers, Help Make Decisions by Showing Up!

As we approach the Independence Day holiday, I wanted to share some important information so you can be prepared for the upcoming festivities celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday. Even though we are in a wet period, fires can still break out, much like what we see in states to the west of us. As always, thank you to the men and women with our professional and volunteer fire departments across the state as they help keep us safe every day. Oklahoma’s new “Rockets’ Red Glare Act,” passed by the Oklahoma Legislature this past session, expands fireworks sales in some parts of the state, but existing bans remain in effect in many municipalities. If you have questions regarding your community, call your local city hall and ask about what, if any, fireworks are legal in your city or town. As with all laws, actions which can cause harm to others are usually the impetus for creating statutory requirements. With this act, lawmakers chose to expand the right to shoot fireworks by lessening specific requirements, but the expanded right must also be balanced with responsibility. Those enjoying fireworks should use common sense by not risking property damage by shooting fireworks during a burn ban, dry season, or in locations close to buildings. One of the most significant changes under Senate Bill 1948 is the legalization of bottle rockets, an item which was prohibited in 1981 due to droughts the state faced and the greater likelihood of wildfires. Also, the new law states that no county shall prohibit private outdoor consumer fireworks for a noncommercial purpose, provided that such display is located on private property, that no county burn ban is in effect under state law, and there are no red flag fire warnings in effect. In short, there can be no sustained winds greater than twenty (20) miles per hour, the relative humidity must be higher than 25%, and the 10-hour dead fuel (woody materials up to an inch in diameter along with forest litter) is above 9% moisture. People lighting fireworks under conditions established by this new law shall notify the local responding fire department first. In 2025, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported 15 fireworks-related deaths, most involving misuse and device misfire/malfunctions. An estimated 13,000 people were injured by fireworks last year, with an estimated 1,300 emergency room-treated injuries involving sparklers. The 15- to 24-year-old age group accounted for the largest share of reported injuries. The most frequently injured body parts were hands and fingers (35%) and head, face, and ears (22%). Burns were the most common injury, making up 38% of all emergency room visits. Here are some suggestions to help you stay safe during this holiday with CPSC’s Fireworks Safety Tips: • Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit – hot enough to melt some metals. • Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. • Make sure fireworks are legal in your area and only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumer (not professional) use. • Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs. • Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly. • Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. • Follow all instructions and warnings on fireworks and never hold them in hand unless instructions specify to do so. Also, dogs have exceptional hearing and are often frightened by fireworks. More pups run away on the Fourth of July than any other day. Even indoors, they can cause damage by trying to escape the noise. Please ensure that your pets are wearing a collar and are microchipped in case they get away. I hope you have a safe celebration with these tips on this very special Fourth of July! 

Primary Election Day has come and gone for Oklahoma. Tuesday’s primary results led to many interesting developments. Of 25 legislative primary races with at least three candidates, 15 are headed for the Aug. 25 runoff. Only one incumbent, Sen. Dusty Deevers of Senate District 32, lost, while three other incumbent lawmakers moved to a runoff. There also will be a runoff for the Democratic nomination for United States Senate, which will be the only statewide Runoff Election. Congratulations to those candidates who won their respective races or advanced to a Runoff Election. The General Election will be November 3. There are nearly 2,420,000 registered voters in Oklahoma, but 26% voted on June 16. Our state is not alone in voter apathy or disillusionment from negative campaigns as Texas, which saw a record turnout in their own primaries in March, still only had 24% of registered voters go to the polls. In Texas’ recent Runoff Election, just 10% of their 18.7 million voters showed up. Oklahoma will likely see a similar drop in our own runoffs due to fewer races. The total turnout for the vote on raising the minimum wage, State Question 832, was 630,085 votes, with 281,171 voting for the proposition, and 348,914 voting against it. The turnout numbers are even worse when you look at the gubernatorial votes cast. Among registered Democrats, only 172,366 votes were cast, while only 402,917 Republicans voted in their primary; just 575,283 primary votes cast for a voter’s pick for governor. Comparing the state question and the governor races, 54,802 more people voted on State Question 832 than voted for a candidate for governor. Most of that number likely were independent voters and registered Libertarians who had no Primary Elections this year. Independent turnout was expected to be less than normal because independent voters could only vote on the state question and were not allowed to vote in either of the party primaries this year. Crunching the numbers and presuming loosely that Democratic and independent voters generally supported raising the minimum wage, while Republicans and Libertarians largely opposed it, we can deduce that at least 54,000 Republicans voted in favor of raising the minimum wage. Chances are many independent voters opposed the state question, which would indicate even more Republicans voted for the wage increase. This suggests there is a bipartisan desire among Oklahomans to raise the minimum wage – but not the way this state question would have done it. The trigger to automatically raise the wage beyond $15 by tying it to the consumer price index was just too much for many Oklahomans per reports. Opponents also were concerned that high school students and adult workers would have received the same minimum wage, agricultural workers would see a similar pay bump, and the jump from $7.25 per hour to $15 was over three years. Now, the question is, “What’s next?” Many Republican lawmakers expressed concern over these opposition points, but would a different proposal fare better in a GOP-controlled Legislature with such across-party-lines support? If a plan came forward with a different process, such as no automatic trigger, a smaller ceiling than $15, a clause that would allow employers to pay minors at a lower pay scale, a clause for an agricultural exemption, or a slower schedule for raising the minimum wage – such as two years between pay jumps – would that generate greater support? Would these provisions give lawmakers leeway to adopt a different minimum wage increase? Regardless, 55.38% of the one-fourth of eligible voters who showed up to the polls last Tuesday made the decision for four million Oklahomans that this proposal was unacceptable. It remains to be seen what the next step will be, but this conversation is likely not over as the proponents proclaimed they will go back to the drawing board with a different plan. Time will tell what happens next with a minimum wage adjustment. 

As the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) works to improve the quality of life for children, data drives our efforts. The Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) is dedicated to improving conditions for children across our nation. AECF was established in 1948 by Jim Casey (the founder of UPS) and his siblings to honor their mother, who kept the family together through hardship following the death of their father. The work of AECF over the past 37 years has created the annual KIDS COUNT® Data Book, showing where states either improved or worsened in child wellbeing. In Oklahoma, the KIDS COUNT® partner is our friends at the Oklahoma Policy Institute . AECF just released their latest report; it shows that Oklahoma continues to lag in child wellbeing. The data AECF collected placed Oklahoma in the bottom 10 of the 50 states. With rank of 44th, we move up two spots from last year’s ranking of 46 th , but that is nothing to cheer about. You can see the document at https://www.aecf.org/interactive/databook The scores track indicators from 2019 to 2024 in four categories: Economic Well-Being; Education; Family and Community; and Health. Each category has four sub-points. Data provided by each state are compiled and ranked. For the first time since its inception, states now receive a comprehensive score (from 0 to 1,000) in the Data Book along with a ranking. This year, the nation scored 547 in overall child well-being; state scores ranging from 271 in Mississippi to 838 in New Hampshire. Oklahoma received an overall score of 425, which was 122 points below the national average. Under Economic Well-Being, the areas examined are: Children Living in Poverty; Children Whose Parents Lack Secure Employment; Children Living in Households with a High Housing Cost Burden; and, Teens Not in School and Not Working. For Education, the topics are: Young Children (Ages 3 and 4) Not in School; Fourth Graders Not Proficient in Reading; Eighth Graders Not Proficient in Math; and, High School Graduates Not Graduating on Time. Within Family and Community, the data examined were: Children in Single-Parent Families; Children in Families Where the Household Head Lacks a High School Diploma; Children Living in High-Poverty Areas; and, Teen Births per 1,000. The Health categories are: Low Birth-Weight Babies; Children without Health Insurance; Child and Teen Deaths per 100,000; and, Children and Teens Ages 10 to 17 who are Overweight or Obese. For the 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, Oklahoma tied with Texas for 44th for child wellbeing, with only Nevada, Alaska, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Mississippi ranking lower. Oklahoma’s individual rankings within the major categories are: 30th in Economic Well-Being, 37th in Health, 43rd in Family and Community, and 48th in Education. The state ranked 40th or below in seven of 16 indicators: Percent of children in poverty, which for a family of two adults and two children was below $30,900 in 2023 (19%, ranked 42nd). Percent of 4th graders who scored below proficient reading level (77%, ranked 48th). Percent of 8th graders who scored below proficient math level (83%, ranked 49th). Percent of high school students not graduating on time (18%, ranked 41st). Children without health insurance (9%, ranked 46th). Child and teen death rate (35 deaths per 100,000 children ages 1 to 19, ranked 40th). Teen birth rate (20 births per 1,000 females ages 15 to 19, ranked 45th). Since 2019, Oklahoma improved in seven of the 16 categories, worsened in another seven, and remained stable in two. Four of those seven were under “Education.” With the emphasis on education by our Legislature this year, I believe we will see gains in coming years. Mississippi’s education reforms, which we emulated, moved them to 16 th in education. Still, they were so poor in every other ranking, they fell below Oklahoma’s total rank. Working with lawmakers and showing data makes improvement possible here. Our profound thanks go to the Annie E. Casey Foundation for helping OICA make the case for improved child well-being!

Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anoatubby and Lt. Gov. Chris Anoatubby Joe Dorman, chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, issued the following statement on the news that Gov. Bill Anotubby of The Chickasaw Nation will retire later this month: “There are few public servants in history with the record of leadership and achievement earned by Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby. Having known and worked with Governor Anoatubby for more than two decades, both in my capacity as elected official and with the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, I can say that there has not been another public servant more dedicated to serving both his Nation and the state of Oklahoma. “Through Governor Anoatubby’s vision, the positive impact made by the Chickasaw Nation span not only their Nation’s boundaries, but the entire state, across America, and through trading partners around the world. Triumphs such as the First Americans Museum, world-class resorts, billions of dollars of economic impact, and thousands of jobs created for people of the Chickasaw Nation and non-tribal Oklahomans are a testament to his inspirational leadership. “Governor Anoatubby’s wise guidance has had a far-reaching impact well beyond the reservation boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation. We at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy are grateful for his unswerving support for our programs and all the children of Oklahoma through the good done by the team he has built over his 47 years of elective service. “Gov. Bill Anoatubby has been a true friend to all Oklahomans, and I wish him well in his retirement. Congratulations are also in order to Lt. Gov. Chris Anoatubby as he assumes leadership over The Chickasaw Nation and carries on his family’s legacy of in service to his people and all who benefit from the Nation.” 

Unfortunately, if trends hold true, only a fraction of registered voters will cast their ballots in Oklahoma’s upcoming Primary Election on June 16. This is partly due to apathy or forgetfulness, but also from the negativity of campaign ads which suppress voter turnout due to frustration. With a smaller turnout, fewer Oklahomans decide who will become their party’s nominees in November’s General Election. I sum it up like this for those who feel their vote does not count: if someone chooses not to vote, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, ensuring their voice is silent because of their absence. In Oklahoma non-presidential elections like this one, Ballotpedia shows registered voters went to the polls at the rate of 39.6% in 2022, 42.1% in 2018, 30% in 2014, and 39.1% in 2010. These paltry percentages are for General Elections in November when more people vote than in Primary Elections like the one coming up. In party primaries, only those registered as Republican or Democrat can vote to select nominees for the November election. The fact that not every person has a fiery Primary Election in their area or even a choice for their nominee when only one candidate files drives voter participation down. To the south of us, nearly one in four registered voters in Texas cast a ballot in their high-profile March primaries with almost 4.5 million ballots cast, a high-water mark for midterm elections in the state’s recent history. Will we see the same result next week with our own high-profile elections? Roughly, there are four million Oklahoma residents, and about three million are eligible to register to vote; the rest are under 18, convicted felons yet to have their voting right restored, or are not legal residents. Of those eligible, just over two million will take the time to register. To be a registered voter in our state, you must be a U.S. citizen, an Oklahoma resident, and at least 18 years old. If you meet the age requirement of 17 ½ to pre-register, this ensures you can vote on Election Day even if you turn 18 within the cut-off period for registration prior to elections. If there is a question regarding your registration, such as your last name not matching on your driver’s license and voter registration – as often happens when people get married – you have the right to cast a provisional ballot so, once confirmed, your vote will count. A reminder: Oklahoma has a voter identification law, so please take an unexpired official form of government ID with you. This year, there is a state question on the Primary ballot for which every registered voter statewide may cast a ballot. This is regarding a minimum wage increase and will likely drive more Oklahomans than usual to vote. This 2026 Primary Election has a similar set up as the 2018 Primary, when there were heavily contested Republican races and a state question on the ballot. Voters showed up that year at a rate of 43.57%, with 848,100 voters casting ballots for gubernatorial candidates, while 892,758 voted on the medical marijuana question; 44,658 more votes were cast on the question. If we flip the data, 56.43% of eligible registered voters did not vote in the 2018 Primary. Instead, they left it up to those who did turn out. Again, the self-fulfilling prophecy of their votes not counting because they did not show up. Please vote on June 16 or vote early at your county election board. Vote for the candidates who you believe will best serve our state. Also, assess what is best for our state with increasing the minimum wage. We at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy ask that as you consider candidates and the minimum wage increase, and the impact each will have on the lives of children. This Primary Election is far too important to let someone make the decision for you by not voting.

Each summer, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) holds its annual Heroes Ball to celebrate the state’s “Champions for Children.” Among the awards presented are two chosen by the people: The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards for Child Advocacy. The award is named in honor of Anne Roberts, OICA’s longest serving CEO; it recognizes outstanding service to Oklahoma’s children by an individual and an organization, as nominated and voted on by Oklahomans. The process began with nominations, which were open to the public. Following the nomination period, the OICA Board of Directors narrowed the list to a select few to put forward for an online public vote by Oklahomans. The finalists for this year’s Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards for Child Advocacy in the Organization category are: · Bethesda, Inc. · Hearts for Hearing · New World Comics Superhero School · Oklahoma Court Appointed Special Advocates · Oklahoma Parents for Student Achievement · Parent Promise · Urban Bridge In the Individual category, the finalists are: · Lou Carmichael of Variety Care · Michele DeBerry, Ed.D. of the Oklahoma Autism Network · Meghan Hollingsworth of Pioneer Library System · Trisha Koelsch of Calm Waters · Maci Shoemaker of Cordell Memorial Hospital · Julie Sisler, Ph.D., of Bethesda, Inc. Online voting is underway and is available through OICA’s website at https://oica.org or by going directly to https://tinyurl.com/26ARPCAVote . Winners will be announced at OICA’s Heroes Ball, to be held this year at the historic Oklahoma City Farmers Public Market. “This award is fully in the hands of those interested in child advocacy in the state of Oklahoma,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “The list of previous winners reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Oklahoma Child Advocates.” Previous winners of the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Organizational Award are: · 2017 – Whiz Kids Oklahoma. · 2018 – Peppers Ranch. · 2019 – Oklahoma United Methodist Circle of Care. · 2020 – Diabetes Solutions of Oklahoma. · 2021 – SoonerStart. · 2022 – Fostering Connections. · 2023 – Sara’s Project. · 2024 – The Anna’s House Foundation. · 2025 – M&R Doyle Holdings, Inc. Those individuals who have won the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Individual Award are: · 2017 – Brenda Lene’. · 2018 – Cody Inman. · 2019 – Judy Payne. · 2020 – Ryan Abernathy. · 2021 – Melissa Ahlgrim. · 2022 – Amber Cuyler. · 2023 – Alethea Satterwhite. · 2024 – Mary Beth Talley. · 2025 – Sarah Soell Tickets to the Heroes Ball are available and selling fast. They can be purchased at https://www.oica.org/events .

I had the pleasure of being the commencement speaker for Bray-Doyle High School. It was wonderful to share the evening with graduates and their families, and especially my cousin, Jud, who walked across the stage that night. For this week’s “For the Children” column, I thought it would be appropriate to share a bit of my speech, with congratulations to all this year’s graduates: Congratulations, graduates! Being with you reminds me of my own graduation back in 1989 and how old that makes me feel! Probably like you, I sat there wondering what the future might hold for me. My graduation speaker talked about the desire to get rich based upon a popular song back then, not just in finances, but also in your overall life. Marriage, health, finances – each of those will have some impact on your life, but you need to remember that there is one determining factor in what each of your next steps will be: you and the path you choose. With my classmates, some went to college or trade school, others joined the military, and some entered the workforce immediately. A few got married quickly, while some of us still haven’t taken that plunge yet. My point is that each one of you will now have significant decisions to make on what your future holds for you, and not all of it will be under your control, but you can improve your options. I am big on furthering one’s education. It’s expensive but consider this: those with bachelor’s degrees in Oklahoma earn a median income of about $59,712. Individuals with only a high school education have a median income of roughly $38,789. The good news for you is that those with less than a high school diploma earns $31,492; so, congratulations on your expected $7,000 income bump by making it here. For those looking at CareerTech, that option offers a much faster, debt-free return on investment, but less than college over life expectancy. Your choice for furthering your education will dictate your opportunities. Now, I am asking you to make a promise to yourself. Do not let this graduation be considered your greatest achievement; instead, let it be your latest achievement. Nothing worth doing is going to be handed to you. Remember, you should keep your expectations realistic, but do not sell yourself short. Just because you come from a small town does not mean you cannot dream big and accomplish great things. Many of you will remain here like I did for many years in Rush Springs, so do your part to give back to your community. Join a civic organization, run for city council, school board, or another office if you have something to contribute to helping the community. Build up the next generation so when you are delivering a graduation speech to a future class, you can encourage them to leave the woodpile of life just a little bit higher than they found it. For our lives to be truly rich, we must always work on ourselves, continuing to grow, and to be there for friends and family when possible. Find a career which pays the bills and provides that reward to you, either with the paycheck or the satisfaction of making the world a better place. Better yet, seek both, as I was lucky enough to achieve. Also, have someone who can be your “battle buddy” for when things get rough – someone who will listen and encourage you. It is good to have a friend who will be there during the rough times. It won’t be easy, but from one small town kid to many others, I believe in you. To all of you in the Class of 2026, congratulations on making it here. Go forth from tonight and make this world a better place with the good each of you is set to accomplish, and to earn the riches in store for you. 

Advocacy Boot Camp (ABC) Classes I & II participate in a variety of activities over their year-long course learning the lessons of how to make a difference in their communities and their state. The application period for ABC Class III closes on June 1; to apply to be a member of the class, go to https://www.oica.org/abc . (Courtesy Photo) Registration for Class III of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) Advocacy Boot Camp (ABC) will close on Mon., June 1 at 5 p.m. CDT. The year-long program focuses on making those interested in being a voice for children even more effective, said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. The inaugural class completed its work a year ago, and Class II is nearing completion. “Oklahoma’s children need for adults to be their collective voice when it comes to both advocating and leading,” he said. “Participants in both our ABC classes have improved their skills as advocates and become even more productive in their communities.” The Advocacy Boot Camp is an update of a program operated by OICA from 1995 to 2010 called the “Kids Count Leadership Program.” Re-started two years ago, ABC has proven to be a valuable resource for those who want to learn more about the resources available in Oklahoma to improve the quality of life for its children and its citizens. “The foundation of any community, any state, is caring people willing to learn and then put that knowledge to work,” Dorman said. “Advocacy’s primary purpose is to raise awareness, influence decision-makers, and bring about positive social, legal or systemic change – ABC provides participants with the tools to be even more effective in that effort.” According to Licia Walters, OICA’s program director, the eight-session program provides coursework on how participants can be stronger advocates on key issues relating to children. “This will be the primary goal of the ABC,” she said. “Knowledge is power in advocacy, and ABC is designed to make sure participants have the knowledge they need to make a difference.” The sessions will be held in several state locations, covering both urban and rural areas of the state including Stillwater, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton, Tahlequah, and Ada. The final session will overlap with the incoming Class IV for the next year. “Our first two classes are proving to be the next generation of policy leaders for our state,” Dorman said. “Trained advocates are a renewing natural resource that have the skills to lead organizations in communities across the state, working at the grassroots level to make Oklahoma a better place for its youngest residents, and possibly even run for an elective office.” The cost to apply for the program is $50, and for those accepted that money goes towards your registration fee of $500. These events will be multi-day events with food included for the entirety of the sessions. Dorman concluded by noting that limited spaces are available and those who are interested should apply now. To apply for OICA’s Advocacy Boot Camp Class III, go to https://www.oica.org/abc . For more information, contact OICA Program Director Licia Walters at lwalters@oica.org or (405) 236-KIDS (5437), extension 5; or CEO Joe Dorman at jdorman@oica.org or (405) 236-KIDS (5437) extension 4. 

Voters will decide State Question 832, the minimum wage increase, on June 16. If passed, the state question would boost the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 in 2027, to $13.50 in 2028, and to $15 in 2029, with further increases tied to the cost of living. The Oklahoma minimum wage matches the $7.25 per hour federal minimum wage, and is the same as 19 other states, according to Oklahoma Watch. Unchanged since 2009, this is the longest period without a federal minimum wage increase since it was created in 1938 during The Great Depression. Oklahoma politicians, regardless of whether Democrats or Republicans have been in charge, have never raised the minimum wage above the federal rate. Some contend the proposal is unwise and suggest policymakers instead expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). While I certainly can agree with this and other tax credits associated with supporting families (child tax credits and childcare tax credits), the Oklahoma Legislature refused to enact an EITC enhancement this year. Many proclaim minimum wage increases boost prices for consumers, but one could argue consumer prices on gas and food have risen without wage increases. The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research assessed prices increased roughly 0.36% for every 10% hike in wages, but the margin is widely debated by economists. The Economic Policy Institute reports that 19 states (not including Oklahoma) increased their minimum wages on January 1, boosting earnings for more than 8.3 million workers by a total of $5 billion. In addition, 47 cities and counties raised their minimum wages, adding to the number of workers likely to get larger paychecks. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 80.3 million American workers age 16 and older were paid hourly rates in 2024, representing 55.6 percent of all wage and salary workers. Among those paid by the hour, about 82,000 workers earned the $7.25 per hour federal minimum wage, roughly 1% of workers; 760,000 workers earned less than the federal minimum (such as those whose pay is supplemented with tips). The Brookings Institution reported 53 million Americans ages 18 to 64 – 44% of all workers – earn a median hourly wage of $10.22, and for those working full time year-round, that is equal to annual earnings of $21,258. Data from 2022 shows that 89% of workers earning a sub-$15 wage are age 20 or older. Nationally, more than half of working single parents, an estimated 11.2 million, also fall into this category. In Oklahoma, approximately 200,000 workers earn at or near $7.25, which is about 5% of the population. While these make the legal minimum, a much larger unspecified percent of the population earns above $7.25 but below $10–$15 per hour, contributing to Oklahoma having the nation’s eighth highest poverty rate. This contributes to Oklahoma ranking among the worst states for utility shutoffs. Despite Oklahoma’s modest population, it had the third highest number of electricity disconnections in the country – not by percentage of the population, the raw number of cutoffs – according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. We are the 28th most populous state and had more utility cutoffs than the largest state, California. Those of us working to improve child wellbeing are watching this issue because parents’ low wages have a negative impact on children, making nutritious food, safe housing, childcare and necessary transportation harder to access. The Economic Policy Institute reports 200,000 Oklahoma children have parents who would get raises should the state question pass, taking many off state-subsidized programs, therefore reducing reliance on government aid. A minimum wage of $10 or greater also improves birth outcomes and children’s health and development, reduces child maltreatment, and has minimal negative impacts on employment. I encourage you to study all factors – the impact on families, the impact on businesses, the impact on the economy – before casting your vote to determine whether a minimum wage increase is the best policy for you and for our state. This is a decision which could have a major impact on many in our state, so do not just trust the commercials.