Raising the minimum wage won’t fix Montana’s economic problems

In a recent op-ed, Justin Allport, interim executive director of the Montana Democratic Party, claimed that "under Republican leadership, prices continue to climb for just about everything." 

That claim is blatantly false. The real problem is the relentless growth of government, out-of-control spending, programs with little oversight, and layers of regulation built on decades of government policy supported by both Democratic lawmakers and so-called Republicans who have chosen to side with those Democrats for easy political wins. I am not against fair wages, but simply raising the minimum wage won't fix the issues that are making Montana one of the most unaffordable states to live in. 

And let's be honest, the constant talk about doing this all for the benefit of billionaires is getting old. It's nothing more than a political tactic. Billionaires are used to create the perception of a massive divide between "us" and "them," designed to stir up envy and resentment because they have what most of us do not. 

But wealth in itself is not the problem. In America, people are free to earn and build as much as they can, and many who have succeeded have done so through hard work, risk-taking, and innovation. Whether we agree with how they earned their wealth or not, targeting billionaires in political speeches does nothing to fix the real problems Montana families face every day. 

The real issue is that government programs with little to no oversight are ripe for abuse, and when they are abused, taxpayers are the ones left to foot the bill. Money doesn't grow on trees, as you know, and every dollar wasted in bloated government spending is a dollar taken from hardworking Montanans' bank accounts. My granddad used to say, "It's easier to save a dollar than it is to make a dollar." 

Raising the minimum wage without addressing the broader economic impacts can backfire on the very workers it’s meant to help. When Seattle increased its minimum wage from $11 to $13 an hour, low-wage employees saw their hours reduced by an average of 9%, leaving many with smaller paychecks despite earning a higher hourly rate. Similarly, after California implemented a $20-per-hour minimum wage for fast-food workers, the industry shed an estimated 18,000 jobs — a 3.2% drop compared to national trends — as businesses cut staff and restructured to offset the higher labor costs. 

These wage hikes can also raise the cost of living. A nationwide study using supermarket scanner data found that a 10% increase in the minimum wage leads to about a 0.36% rise in the price of basic groceries like milk and bread. For working families, that means higher costs for everyday necessities, which can quickly erode the benefits of a pay increase. 

Big government is the real culprit; it's that simple! Montanans should vote out anyone, regardless of party, who supports big government, especially those focused on expanding entitlement programs, which raise taxes and hit our pocketbooks the hardest.  

We absolutely need programs like SNAP and Medicaid, but they must be focused on helping the truly vulnerable — children, struggling young families facing real hardship, those with serious medical needs, and the elderly. These programs should serve as a lifeline for those in genuine need, not a long-term lifestyle for able-bodied adults between 18 and retirement age who choose not to work. 

To be clear, this is not about adult enrollees who serve as full-time caregivers or face legitimate barriers to employment. It’s about those who could be filling the countless “Help Wanted” positions we see in stores and restaurants but instead choose to rely on the system rather than contribute to the workforce. 

I know from experience that sometimes life throws a curveball that you cannot plan for. Early in my marriage, I suffered a serious back injury that kept me from working. My wife and I had three little ones under four years old, and we needed help. For a short time, we used the system as it was intended, a bridge to get through a tough time. Once I recovered, we pulled ourselves up, started a business, and 30 years later, that business is still going strong. That's what these programs should be for most people: a temporary safety net to help people get back on their feet, not a permanent way of life. 

By keeping assistance targeted to those who genuinely need it, reducing waste, and cutting unnecessary government programs that could be handled better at the local level by communities, non-profits, churches and the like, we can lower taxes, strengthen our economy, and ensure wages rise naturally because businesses are thriving — not because the government forces them to. 

Montana’s best days are ahead if we have the courage to demand accountability, defend our freedoms, and put power back where it belongs — in the hands of the people. Let’s stand together, work hard, and build a Montana where opportunity is earned, government is limited, and the American Dream is alive for every generation. 

Trevor Walter is a Republican candidate for Montana House District 69 in Sheridan.