Cost-of-living varies drastically across the U.S., with prices in the very most expensive metropolitan areas being roughly double those in the very most affordable. While $100 has a baseline national purchasing power, it only buys about $74 worth of goods in high-cost tech hubs but stretches up to $115 in the rural South and Midwest. Source: Tax Foundation.
In 2025, the annual earnings of a single adult working full-time, year-round at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and leading a 1-person household fell below the poverty threshold established by the Department of Health and Human Services guidelines as did two family breadwinners, each working full-time at the federal minimum wage leading a family of 4. There has been no increase in the federal minimum wage since July 2009. Since then, the value of the federal minimum wage has fallen by 30%. Sources: healthinsurance.org and U.S. HHS.
As U.S. Representative, I would propose a new Federal Law to significantly raise the federal minimum wage, but in a way that could attract broad bi-partisan support. I would propose varying the federal minimum wage by states, or better, by metropolitan regions to reflect dramatically different cost-of-living differences in different regions. I would propose that the federal minimum wage be set in a region (state or metropolitan area) that would equate to an individual head of a 1-person household, if working full-time at the federal minimum wage rate, earn the equivalent of one-and-half times the federally established poverty level in that region; and for that federal regional minimum wage rate to be adjusted annually thereafter to reflect cost-of-living changes in that region.
About Larry Poster for Congress
Lawrence D. Poster is a business leader, volunteer and mentor and lifelong Democrat. He is Founder of Catalyx Group, a Strategy & Executive Search Firm focused on high technology, biotechnology and medtech.
“My purpose in running for Congress is to fight for the soul of America. To fight for America and to fight for you. You are my political boss. Growth is imperative. But I’m here to grow America – fairly. I’m here to champion the working class and middle class.”
For more details about Larry Poster’s Campaign for Congress visit his website: https://www.posterforcongress.com/.
Early voting in the primary for NJ’s 10th C.D. runs through Sunday, May 31. In-person, Primary Day voting is Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at polling locations across the 10th Congressional District in communities in Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties.