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To the Editor:

I am writing to express my concern about the impact of inflation on our community and the need to address minimum wage. Over the last few years, the cost of living has increased while wages remain the same. Many of us are struggling to make ends meet.

Since 2020, home prices have surged 41.7 percent, making it difficult for families to afford housing. How can we expect anyone to live on a minimum wage of $12.00 an hour in this challenging market? Many hard-working citizens are living paycheck to paycheck, and this is destroying our economy.

As an employee, I’ve noticed the hardships of rising costs myself. Grocery store runs can cost you $100 for just a few items. It’s clear that times have changed, and so must our minimum wages. Raising the minimum wage would provide relief to local families, allowing them to improve their quality of life.

It’s time to stand up for better wages that reflect the realities of today’s economy. We owe it to ourselves and our community to push for a change.

Shania Lankford

Franklin