By Bill O'Neil
The White Hous is taking President Barack Obama's push to boost the minimum wage to $9 per hour on the road--and this week the focal point is Texas.The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division Acting Deputy Director Mary Beth Maxwell hosts a roundtable meeting with workers and advocates Friday
Morning--one day after a similar session in San Antonio.
"Folks who serve us our coffee and food every day, that work as cashiers at our local stores, drive the school buses that get our kids to school, work hard in hotels and airports--these are all folks that are working at or near minimum wage jobs" Maxwell said. She told 550 KTSA News a bump up 
in the minimum wage to $9 per hour is a win for everyone.
"What we do is we put money in the pockets of hard working Americans--that helps their own families because they can buy the basics--more of the basics. What it also does is it stimulates our economy" Maxwell said--pointing to what she sees as increased purchasing power among those workers.in the minimum wage to $9 per hour is a win for everyone.She also doesn't buy the argument that an increase in the minimum wage will mean workers being sent to the unemployment line, insisting research and statistics simply do not paint such a picture.
"The minimum wage is still only $7.25 per hour--that means you could be working full time--and make a salary of only $14,500 per year" Maxwell said, adding "It's a basic bargain in America that if you work hard and play by the rules--you can get a good job and support your family."
photos: womensvoicesforchange.org; boilermakers.org;joeforamerica.com
