Madison Jandreau
CMS, Grade 7
February 25 was a very special day for not just me, but my whole school. Caribou Middle School students got the chance to Skype with Maine’s very own senator! Senator Collins answered eight questions that the student body developed. When all of the questions were handed in, the Gifted and Talented group of seventh- and eighth-graders eliminated some questions until there were the final nine questions. Next Mrs. Alden selected eight different students from grades six through eight. And I was one of those lucky kids!
The question I asked Senator Collins was “How do you think the change in minimum wage will effect small business and agriculture in Maine?” Her response to that question was that The United States Congress is currently debating whether minimum wage should be raised or not. Minimum wage in the United States, as of right now, is $7.25. But in Maine it is twenty-five cents higher than that; $7.50. The U.S. was going to raise minimum wage to ten dollars and ten cents. But if that were to happen, approximately 500,000 people would lose their jobs.
If you are thinking about a teenager, then a low minimum wage would be fine. But when you think about a mother or father that is trying to live off of that money, a higher minimum wage would be better. With all of that being said, Senator Collins’ thoughts are that minimum wage should be raised, but not so much that a lot of people would lose their jobs.
It really means so much to me that one of the most amazing women in Maine, cleared her schedule just to talk to Caribou Middle School! People stand outside of her building for weeks just trying to get five minutes of her time!
Even though it was extremely nerve-racking to say something in front of all of my peers and Senator Collins, it was such a cool experience for me and that was definitely a day that I will never forget.
