Minimum wage increase will affect a young working father

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill into law that will increase the minimum wage in Michigan to $9.25 by 2018. For families who live paycheck to paycheck, every hour of work and every cent matters.

"He works so hard; he works from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and ends up with close to nothing to show. Just $125 a week." said Sam Rosette.

Rosette says her 20-year-old son works around the clock to make ends meet, but falls short often.

"He has a son that he loves very dearly and it makes him depressed sometimes when he cannot provide for him like he wants to," said Rosette.

Right now, her son makes $7.40 an hour, but not for long.

Governor Snyder signed the increase into law late Tuesday night and it will slowly go into effect through 2018.

Until then, Rosette’s son is actively looking for a second job because, for him the current minimum wage rate is not cutting it.

Rosette says it is hard to watch him struggle because her son is a good kid.

"He’s a graduate, he has a diploma. All he wants to do is go to work and be a good father for his child and to provide for his kid," said Rosette.

With the $1.85 an hour increase, minimum wage workers will make $370.00 before taxes.

Rosette says for her family, and her community, this raise is a blessing.