HALTER FULFILLS FIRST CAMPAIGN PROMISE:
COLLECTS SIGNATURES TO HELP
RAISE ARKANSAS MINIMUM WAGE
Halter Endorses “Give Arkansas A Raise Now” (GARN) and Collects Signatures

Little Rock – Democrat Bill Halter, who just returned from his wedding last weekend, today returned to the campaign trail to fulfill his first campaign promise: to gather signatures in support of the recently approved ballot initiative petition to raise the minimum wage.

Halter, joined by Steve Copley -- chair of Give Arkansas A Raise Now (GARN) -- gathered signatures this afternoon here at the city’s historic River Market area.  Halter’s first campaign promise was to collect signatures for the effort to raise the state’s minimum wage saying the hike in wages was “long overdue.”

“The last time the minimum wage was increased was in 1996 and 1997,” said Halter.  “Since that time inflation has eroded the value of those wages. We need to make sure working men and women have better opportunities to support their families. This first step, along with other policy initiatives, will help.”

“I am delighted to be part of this effort,” continued Halter.  “I am very hopeful that with Steve Copley’s leadership and his coalition, along with the help of other Arkansans, that we can get this proposed amendment on the ballot and passed.”

Halter said over the course of the campaign he will release a package of initiatives designed to lift incomes in Arkansas by striving for excellence, rather than adequacy in our schools and by building and attracting new and better paying jobs to the state.