"All along I have supported wage increases for Nevada workers. H.R. 2, with no assistance for small business, does more harm than good for Nevada businesses and workers. If an employee loses his or her job because a business cannot afford to keep them on the payroll, the legislation will defeat its good intentions," Porter said today. "If we want to continue the extraordinary growth we have enjoyed in Southern Nevada we must maintain a climate where business owners may continue to expand their workforce and increase their profit margins."

Porter's sentiments were echoed by Las Vegas small-business owners. Paymon Raouf, owner of Paymon's Mediterranean Restaurant in Las Vegas, employs 105 workers at his restaurants. "Another increase over two years would be devastating to my labor costs," Raouf said today. "The end result would inevitably be a reduction in our current workforce size or the cost being passed along to the consumer; both of which will hurt my business."

Sam Facchini, co-owner of Las Vegas's Metro Pizza, similarly expressed concern over the legislation; "Our business is still adjusting to the most recent minimum wage increase. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. We cannot continue to face unprecedented labor costs and be expected to prosper."

Contact U.S. Congressman Jon Porter at www.house.gov/porter.