Are You Up To the Challenge?

By Corrina Beall Legislative Coordinator

Could you live on $77 a week? Sierra Club staffer Corrina Beall is about to find out. 

This week is #LiveTheWageVA Challenge week, when elected leaders, community and faith leaders, advocates and everyday folks walk in the shoes of a minimum wage worker by living on a minimum wage budget of $77 for one week.  

Just $77—that’s not a lot of money. It’s the sum that the average full-time worker making the federal minimum wage minus average taxes and average housing expenses brings home. $77 has to cover all meals, groceries, transportation and recreational spending. 

So, time to make some tough choices. But, Corrina’s not alone. Elected officials from around Virginia are taking the Challenge with her. 

Who’s taking the Challenge? 

•Former Lieutenant Governor Don Beyer

•Senator Mamie Locke

•Senator Louise Lucas

•Office of Senator Frank Wagner

•Delegate Betsy Carr

•Delegate Mark Keam

•Delegate Alfonso Lopez

•Delegate Jennifer McClellan

•Delegate Sam Rasoul

•Delegate Richard "Rip" Sullivan

•Delegate Jeion Ward

•Alexandria City Councilman John Chapman

You too can Challenge yourself! If you haven’t formed your views yet on the minimum wage, this is a great opportunity to understand what life is like for low-wage workers and why raising the wage is important to our working families and our economy. 

Sign up today: www.livethewageva.org