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The governor recently signed legislation that raises the state minimum wage to match the federal minimum wage in Kansas.  That means all workers must now be paid $7.25.hr.  This really only affects people in the food service industry.  Waiters and servers in sit-down restaurants and bartenders.

I personally believe this is a step in the wrong direction.  I'd bet you that we will soon see restaurants raise their menu prices significantly in order to cover the added cost that they must pay their employees, who before the law, made about $2.00/hr. and lived off their tips.

The tip argument has been going on since the invention of the wheel and I've always been a pretty faithful 20% tipper unless I received really poor service.  If I get really good service, I will often tip more than 20%.

Here's the pickle I'm in:  (Thanks Jeff, for making me NOT use the word quandary.)  Now that waiters and servers are no longer on an uneven playing field with the rest of society, is it still necessary to tip 20%.  I mean, if I write a good story for the evening news and you really enjoy it, should you come to the station and tip me for the information service that I provided you?  Of course not!  (But please, feel free to do so!)

It's give and take.  I'm going to have to pay for this wage increase through higher menu prices so the business owner can pay his employees.  Why should I have to tip you the same amount as before?

Oh, and one other thing.  I can't help but think that the only reason the state is raising the minimum wage now is because we're in a huge budget mess in the tight economy.  Now waiters and servers will have to pay payroll taxes on $7.25/hr.  They used to pay payroll taxes on $2.00/hr. and taxes on their tips were based on the honor system.  Let's face it, when it comes to paying taxes, everybody is looking for a way to pay as little as possible.