Baxter’s Peggy Smith named Iowa State Fair Iowan of the Day
The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present Peggy Smith of Baxter as a 2025 Iowa State Fair Iowan of the Day. Smith does everything she can to help her community flourish. When she noticed the disrepair of the picnic tables at the local Sports Complex, she and her husband provided the labor to replace all the wood and bolts. To address the issue of littering along downtown sidewalks, she worked with the Baxter Chamber of Commerce to obtain a grant that financed the installation of new trash cans.
Smith also recently introduced the concept of “Welcome Bags” to the Chamber of Commerce. These gift packages help welcome new residents to Baxter and provide information about the community. In addition to working with the Chamber of Commerce on these projects, organized a breast cancer walk in Baxter that raised $4,000, which she donated to the Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines.
Smith’s day of recognition will be Thursday, Aug. 14, at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. She will be recognized with a presentation on the Anne & Bill Riley Stage at noon. Along with
Jasper County Hunger Relief meal packaging event
Lynnville Friends Church will host the Jasper County Hunger Relief (formerly Jasper County Take Away Hunger) meal packaging event Saturday, Aug. 23. The Jasper County Hunger Relief Board has partnered with The Outreach Program and have packaged a variety of new meals. Each team participates in an assembly line that packages simple, nutritious meals following safety and health guidelines. Volunteers are asked to form a team of twelve peo -
ple for one hour of time, and a donation of $35 per person or $420 per team. Each team will assemble enough meal packages to serve 288 local families with food insecurity. All donations will help cover the costs for the ingredients of the meals packaged. Contact Bill Bennett by email at jaspercohunger@ gmail.com or by phone at 515-257-6460 to reserve a one-hour time slot for your team starting at 9 a.m. The deadline to register is Sunday, Aug. 17.
HOWARD ST. CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ)
Pastor Josh Burns 101 N. Locust St., Colfax Cell - 515-779-3148
SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Fellow-
ship;10:30 a.m. Worship, in person or online via YouTube
MONDAY - Pastor Josh day off TUESDAY - 9:30 a.m. Coffee Time; 2:30 p.m. Chair Yoga
WEDNESDAY - 3:30 p.m. After school elementary youth; 6:15 ChiRho and CYF youth supper; 7:30 p.m. Youth Group
THIRD SUNDAY - 8 p.m. Elders meeting, Board meeting after church; Collect for Food Pantry
FOURTH SUNDAY - Potluck Dinner
FIFTH SUNDAY - Potluck Breakfast
FIRST MONDAY - WIC appointments
FOURTH & FIFTH TUESDAY - 3 p.m. Table of Grace
IRA UNITED CHURCH
Pastors Doug Cupples and Phil Butler
SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Church ser-
accommodations at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, she will receive Iowa State Fair admission tickets, Grandstand Concert tickets, use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart, VIP parking and a cash prize. The Iowan of the Day program was founded by the Blue Ribbon Foundation in 1997 to honor outstanding Iowans who have made a difference in their communities. From nearly one hundred nominations, the Iowan of the Day committee selected ten Iowans who demonstrate exceptional integrity, hard work and dedication to their communities.
OWLS program ‘Wildlife Health in Iowa’
Jasper County Conservation Board will host an Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors (OWLS) program at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the Jasper County Armory/Annex Building in Newton.
The public is invited to come for coffee and a presentation given by Rachel Ruden, the Iowa DNR’s State Wildlife Veterinarian. Ruden will talk about what her job entails and go over some current health risks for wildlife, such as avian flu and chronic wasting disease.
The OWLS program is a conservation program that encourages seniors to stay active and learn new things about the natural world. Contact the Jasper County Conservation Board office at 641-792-9780 for more information.
Church Schedules
vice; 10:30 a.m. Sunday school Communion first Sunday METZ COMMUNITY CHURCH
3253 W. 62nd St. S., Newton Pastor David Rex 641-521-4354
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:10 a.m. Worship Last Saturday of month - 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, Colfax Minister, Pastor Cody Dyer Church Office 674-4165
SUNDAY, Aug. 10 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dyer; 5 p.m. “The Well” Youth Group
TUESDAY, Aug. 12 - 3:30 p.m. Women’s Prayer & Coffee; 6:30 p.m. Gospel of John Bible Study
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 13 - 9 a.m. Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer
THURSDAY, Aug. 14 - 6:30 p.m. Men’s Group
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH
Newton, Iowa
SATURDAY - 4 p.m. Mass
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Mass
COLFAX FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
S. Locust & W. Division St. Office - 674-3782
Rev. Phil Dicks pastor
SUNDAY - 10:30 a.m. Sunday School; Family Worship - Today is Food Pantry Sunday
HOPE ASSEMBLY OF GOD
126 E. Howard
Rev. Paul Avery, pastor Church: 674-3700 hopeassemblyofgod@yahoo.com
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship; Today is Food Pantry Sunday
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
CATHOLIC CHURCH
302 E. Howard St., Colfax Fr. Marty Goetz
515-674-3711
SUNDAY - 11 a.m. Mass
MINGO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Rev. Phil Dicks 515-689-4926
Community Calendar
Send items to news@jaspercountytribune.com
SATURDAY
• Colfax Historical Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Saturday of the month. Admission is free.
SUNDAY
• Colfax Historical Society Museum is open from 2 to 4 p.m. every Sunday through Labor Day.
MONDAY
• Baxter City Council meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of month at City Hall
• Colfax City Council meets the second Monday of month at the Colfax Fire Department
• Colfax Country Club meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of month
• Mingo American Legion Auxiliary meets at 1 p.m. the second Monday of month
• Mingo City Council meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of month
TUESDAY
• Baxter Masonic Lodge meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of month
• Baxter Chamber of Commerce meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of month at city hall
• Colfax American Legion Post 175 meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of month at the Colfax Senior Citizens Center
WEDNESDAY
• Colfax Farmers Market is open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Mineral Springs Park
• C-M Athletic Booster Club meets at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of month in the high school
THURSDAY
BETHANY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 5627 N. 95th Ave. W., Baxter 641-227-3402
Pastor Chris Hayward
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday School (Sunday after Labor Day to second Sunday in May); 10 a.m. Sunday Worship. First Sunday communion. All are welcome. baxterbethanyucc.org
EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH BAXTER Mike Mclintock, Pastor
SUNDAY - 9:15 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Worship; 6 p.m. Awanas
WEDNESDAYS - 1st & 3rd - 6:30 p.m. Mens Bible Study 2nd & 4th - 6:30 p.m. Men’s and Womens Bible Study
THURSDAYS 10 a.m. - Womens Bible Study
BAXTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 218 S. Main, Baxter Pastor Ben Spera Church: 641-227-3382
SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Worship WEDNESDAY - 6 p.m. Bible Study
1000 E. 12th St., Newton Rev. Josh Farver, pastor Phone 641-792-4650
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:15 a.m. Worship
WEDNESDAY - 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study; Youth Group
HERITAGE WORD OF LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD
102 Second St. NW, Mitchellville Pastor Dave Adams 515-967-3330
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Bible classes; 10 a.m. Worship service; 6 p.m. Evening service WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening activities
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE Capitol II Theatre in Newton SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Livestream Worship Service
MITCHELLVILLE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLES OF CHRIST 210 Third St. NW, Mitchellville Text/Voicemail 515-519-0206 SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Coffee Time; 10:30 a.m. Worship Time, in person or via YouTube Live at 1040 am
• Baxter Garden Club meets at 7 p.m. second Thursday of month, March to December, at the Baxter Community Building The church schedule
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Worship service (Sunday school not meeting at this time)
ASHTON CHAPEL
8887 W. 122nd St. N., Mingo
Pastors: Larry Craig & Mark Eddy
515-674-3155 www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship
THIRD THURSDAY of month6:30 p.m. Theology on Tap at Bea’s Place on Main Street Check us out on Facebook and baxtercongregational.com
CORNERSTONE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
WEDNESDAY - 5:30pm W.O.W Youth Group with supper provided Visit mitchellvillechristianchurch. org and follow us on Facebook
what it would be like because we bought this property as is. We took on a lot of the history and unknowns,” Schut said. “One of our biggest problems was almost one of the acres was completely concrete.”
Little did the couple know that in a different life, an area of their property had been used as a cattle lot and farrowing house. After years of no use, the lots started to get covered with soil. By the time they took over as owners, the area looked like fertile land.
“It had beautiful tall grass and we just thought it needed mowed,” Schut said. “One day I went out to dig and stuck something into the ground and heard a thunk. I was just like ‘Oh, no.’”
The hurdle took a while to get over with chunks of concrete removed as the couple worked on the property.
Once the area was cleared, Schut could get to work planning out her future flower farm.
“Year by year, this space is turning into my dream flower farm,” Schut said. “At the peak of the season, my field is brimming with seasonal florals. A lot of my flowers are highly aromatic. I like it and my bees like it.”
In developing the farm she has taken
an active interest in make it sustainable and using eco-friendly materials.
“I’m committed to sustainability on my three-acre farm,” Schut said. “I prioritize soil health, pollinators and plant care to produce top-quality florals using organic inspired growing methods.”
It’s a choice that not only benefits her land but also her other passion — her bees.
“I’m not only a flower farmer, I’m also a beekeeper. My resident beehives thrive on the farm, sharing my passion for flowers,” Schut said. “The honeybees happily buzz from bloom to bloom in my fields, collecting nectar and pollen. Blooms that don’t meet my
quality standards provide food for the bees, who, in turn, reward us with their delicious honey.”
The blooms that do make the cut are used in her floral business. Schut currently provides high-quality floral bunches to designers in about a 30mile radius of her home to be used for their businesses. It is her hope one day to be able to invite the public to her farm to pick their own flowers and enjoy everything she has built.
“The farm is now alive with activity. The bees buzz amongst the flowers, and free-range hens chase bugs and lay eggs,” Schut said. “It’s demanding work, but incredibly rewarding — I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“A lot of properties (used in the past) they ask that you don’t damage anything. They don’t want you shooting in the house with stun guns either because it can damage a window or a wall. Then we have to clean that stuff up or pay for it,” Cross said, noting the JCARL building would be a marked training facility.
Satuday May 27th was a beautiful evening for the 112th Annual Alumni Banquet, 145 attending. The evening began with a wonderful meal from Altoona Hy-Vee, of Baked ham, buttered garlic potatoes, lettuce salad,green beans almondine, roll and butter, coffee and tea, and cheesecake for dessert. The theme, “STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS,” and menu were chosen by, the 50 yr. class. The stage was decorated in pastel colors a bouquet of flowers made by, Monica Guy Hysell. The podium decorated with a Mylar fringe. Tours were again given to the Alumni and guests, of our state of art new facility. Madam President Cassie DeVoe Cook ‘02, opened the porgram by welcoming her fellow Alumni, back to there hometown and a special welome to the 50 year, 25 year, and the class of the 2025, where her daughter is a member of. She then introduced the Secretary/ treasuer, Monica Guy Hysell ’72. Monica then gave her report. There were 23 towns other than Colfax-Mingo represented and 10 states. A special alumni came all the way from England, Susan Taylor Sinclair’69, her broth-
Which would offset many liability concerns for the sheriff’s office. The marked training grounds may also give the sheriff’s office the ability to hold training courses with other departments and outside instructors. Cross said a lot of times instructors want specific amenities to teach, like a large enough gun range.
Other law enforcement trainings would be possible at the facility, including patrol scenarios, room clearing and traffic stops, among others. It
er Hal’66, and sister Jane Taylor March, guest of 1973 were also present. Agnes Conn Pease class of 1945 was present, we were honored to celebrate with her, her 80th reunion! Virginia Beals Hunter celebrating her 75th Reunion. A round of applause was given to these special almuni, it was so much deserved. they each were given a flower bouquet. Other reunions held that day were as follows; 1955-70 years, 1960-65 years, 1965-60 years, 1970-55 years, 1975-50 years, 1980-45 years, 1985-40 years, 1990-35 years, 1995-30 years, 2000-25 years, 2005-20 years, 2010-15 years, 201510 years, 2020-5 years, 2025-Seniors!
The following were recognized for their perfect attendance; 1954-71 years-Marilyn Thompson Rhone, 1971-54 Charles Wilson, 1976-49 yearsDon Lester, 1984-41 years Christine Daft Damon. The treasures report was then given and this then concluded the Sec./ Trea. report. Monica then introduced the Master Of Ceremonies, David Glover class of 2000.
David had a very nice opening of welcoming ev-
would also allow the Central Iowa Regional Tactical Team (CIRTT), which Jasper County is a part of, to train more effectively, and, again, utilize all of their tools and techniques.
Fire departments would be able to conduct vehicle extractions on-site, full-gear room clearing and breaching techniques. The building would also allow for medical-type training to help first responders expand their patient care and practice tactical medicine and medical rescues.
eryone. He kept the banquet running smoothly the rest of the evening. Our pianist was ill, so Marianne Lester Glasford ‘63 and Jeanine Husson Sage ‘72, got the crowd started with “The Orange and the Black”! From the class of 2025 Emma Cook spoke on be half of her class. She thanked the Alumni for their meal and to be welcomed into the Alumni association. Superintendent Tim Salmon was introduced to speak about the new childhood center inconjuction with the Colfax-Mingo School district. Jeanine, then gathered all former cheerleaders to come in front of the stage. As she lead “Onward C-M”, the chearleaders had to try to dance their cheer routine. That was great fun. Marianne Lester Glasford ‘63, gave the John Reynolds award. John Reyonlds was a graduate of the class of 1941, who was tragically killed in a mid air plane crash in December of 1965. John’s motto was, “ A quitter never quits and a qutter never wins.” This years recipient isShane Hostetter. Marianne then read the parents and grandparents of the graduating Seniors.
Bill Daft, was the fif-
ty year speaker. He did a great job going down memory lane, with many laughs of the past. Thank you, Bill.
Katy Holdefer Sheuy ‘00 read the memorials. This is fellow Alumni that have past on from May 2024 to May 2025. They are as follows; Principle Robert Dimit, 1941-Ardythe Beard Timmons, 1942-Evelyne Whited Ahnen, 1949-William Brown, 1951-Joe Hadsall, 1952-Robert Brown, Mary Louise Sally Wilharm, 1953-Pat Schroder Edwards, 1956-Carolyn Allsup Kurht, 1959-Sheri Lunders Victoria, Mona Stevens Warrick, 1960-Larry VanDusseldorp 1962-Irving Tiffany, Henry VanElsen, 1963Judy Case Ross, 1965Judy Shepley Lafferty, Terri Smith, 1966 Margaret Owens Edwards, Barbara Hill Holdefer, 1967-Gerry Lourens, 1972-Norman L. Jones,1975-Lori Swanson, 1981-Michele Beason Fitch 1983-Dave Borts III, 1983-KIm Riggan Belloma, Eric Soutter, David Williams, 1998-Mandi House, 1999-Dereck Yoakum. Cassie Devoe Cook ‘02, gave the Farwell to the alumni then, all singing “Auld Lang Syne.”
Those attending the
Banquet are as follows; Honorary-Superintendent Tim Salmon, 1945- Agnes Conn Pease, 1949-Mary Ellen Goss VanDusseldorp, 1950-Virgina Beals Hunter, 1954- Billie Paynter, Stanley Daft, Bob Russell & Mrs., Marilyn Thompson Rhone, 1956-Delories Zachary Shepley, 1957-Keith Russell, 1958-Karen Kintz Russell, Grace Tomlonovic Brown, 1959-Docela Edwards Chatterjee, Helen Van Elsen, 1961-Wayne Schlosser, 1962-LaVern Faidley, David Pratt, Sharon Booth Temple, Martha Monroe Hancock, Patty Underwood Findley & Guest, Roger Brown, Bill Robson & Mrs., James Pieper, 1963-Marianne Lester Glasford, Karen Schlosser, 1965-Gene Steenhoek, Jim Briles & Mrs. Janice Keenan, Julie Stinson Heatherly, Bill Pion, Bonnie Hanke Herbold, 1966-Richard Griggs, Lenis Pierce Steenhoek, Carl Dale Tiffany, Hal Taylor & Mrs., 1968 Don Wing, Terry Leonard & Mrs., 1969 -John VanBoord, Joyce Rorabaugh, Susan Taylor Sinclair & guest, 1970-Douglas Smith, Terry Ingraham, 1971-Chuck Wilson, 1972-Terry Hysell, Monica Guy Hy-
sell, Jeanine Husson Sage, Connie Pease Luppes, Denise Pierce Bell, 1973-Dennis Smith, Charlet Rachels Daft, Robert Rhone, Mark Hussson, Craig VanDusseldorp & Mrs., 1974-Joseph Robson & Mrs., Larry Daft, Robert Davidson & Mrs., Nancy Stevens Rhone, Kevin Williams, Belinda Wierick Williams, Rick Samsom & Mrs., Mardell Ingraham Tomlonovic, 1975-Robin Nichol Brenner, Randy Beard, Jane Beherens, Darla Meisel Edwards & Mr., John Barker, Bill Daft & Mrs., Randy Gunsaulus, Vicki VanEkeren Gunsaulus, Tim Riley & Mrs., Sheryl Gemeiner & Mr., Bill Talsma, Nancy Clarke Phelan, Diane Balmer, Diane Pierce Stoecker, Eric Myra, Bonnie Bowman Mullenax & guest, Rhonda VanDusseldorp Spain & Mr., Ann Wheeler Hanney, Lori Parks Lukehart, 1976-Don Lester, Steve Patterson, Willow Williams Patterson & Guest, Curtis Brown, 1977-Steve Weirick, Joel Sage, Shelly Raper Wing, Dennis Lester & Mrs., 1978- Kathy Daft Wolf, 1979-Sheila Behrens Palczewski & Mr., Caren Robson Clevenger, Sheila Clarke Breese, 1980-Paula Behrens Walker & Mr., 1982-David Daft, Lori Pierce Smith, JD Smith, 1984- Christine Daft Damon, MIssy Bueher Daft, 1986-Rowdy VanCleave, 1987-Kimberly Schmitt Churchhill & Mr., 2000-David Glover, Kady Holdefer Shuey, 2002 Cassie Devoe Cook & Mr., Jeremy Shuey, 2005-Kim Davidson Lang, Maranda Bissell Case, Jessica Palmer Williams 2009Mary Daft, 2025- Seniors Emma Cook & Guest, Shane Hosetter Monica Guy Hysell, Secretary/ Treasure
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Supervisors approved a service order with an architectural firm for the training center project for the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
Until
By Chris Mills Rodrigo
Our nation’s paltry federal minimum wage of just $7.25 hourly is rightly criticized as far too little to sustain a worker, let alone a family, in 2025. That’s bad enough, but did you know that there’s an even lower floor for workers who receive tips on the job? That’s right. The federal minimum wage for tipped workers is just $2.13 an hour— and has been for 30 years. Theoretically, employers are meant to cover the difference if tips don’t raise hourly wages to the federal minimum. Cases of bosses failing to meet that requirement are commonplace.
Eight states have eliminated this tipped minimum, ensuring that tipped workers receive the same minimum as others. In the other 42 states, bartenders, servers and hotel workers are con-
stantly exposed to wage theft.
Not only do tipped workers often end up making less than the minimum wage, but their lower floor also makes their livelihoods dependent on external factors, such as weather and customer traffic. It also exposes them to customer harassment, a massive issue for twothirds of servers who are women.
“Many of my coworkers and I are pressured to tolerate inappropriate customer behavior because our livelihood depends on being likable,” said Red Schomburg, a One Fair Wage campaigner who worked as a bartender in Boston. “This especially harms women and contributes to the restaurant industry’s notoriously high rates of harassment.”
With that in mind, we can’t just stop tipping. Because the sub-minimum wage has been decoupled from the federal floor since 1996, businesses and policymakers have essentially shifted the responsibility of ensuring tipped workers earn enough to make ends meet to consumers.
We need to eliminate the tipped minimum and establish one fair wage for all workers. One that’s far, far above
Kids with autism deserve care, not cuts
By Kali Daugherty
I recently read over my son’s last report card and was overwhelmed with pride.
It showed how far he’s come — progress that, not long ago, felt out of reach. I made mental notes of the areas where we still need to do some work, but mostly I just sat with the joy of seeing comments like “participates well in class” and “a pleasure to have in class.”
A few years ago, those kinds of remarks seemed impossible.
My son is on the autism spectrum. He’s bright, curious, and kind, but he faces challenges in areas that come more naturally to his peers — things like socializing, staying focused, and following multi-step directions.
To support his growth, our family relies on services made accessible through Medicaid. Without it, we couldn’t afford the therapies and supports that have made such a profound difference in his life.
One of the most transformative resources we’ve accessed through Medicaid is applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. Before my son began this program, he had a hard time sitting still, struggled with completing even small tasks, and rarely interacted meaningfully with others. The world often overwhelmed him, and those feelings showed up as frustration or withdrawal.
Our family was doing everything we could to support him, but we needed help. Medicaid made that possible.
The ABA therapy was intensive and, at times, exhausting — but it worked. Over time, we watched our son develop new skills, regulate his emotions, and engage with the world in a completely new way.
By the time the program ended, we had a different child. Not in that he changed who he was — but because he could finally show the world the amazing person he had always been. He could carry on a conversation, initiate play with peers, connect with adults, and begin building friendships.
Today, thanks to Medicaid, he continues to receive occupational therapy and speech therapy at school. These services help him strengthen motor skills, improve communication, and better navigate daily life. He also receives support through his Individualized Education Plan (IEP), ensuring he has the accommodations he needs to succeed. Because of this, my son is not just surviving — he is thriving.
But now, all of this is under threat.
Millions of families like mine could lose Medicaid because the Trump-GOP budget — the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” — strips away the very support that children like my son depend on, all to finance tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy. It’s hard to describe the fear that takes hold when you realize that your child’s future has been jeopardized with the stroke of a pen.
Some 37 million children — roughly half of kids in the United States — rely on Medicaid for health care, therapies, and other essential services. For kids with disabilities, Medicaid is often the only option for accessing the support they need. Without it, families face impossible choices — foregoing therapies, draining savings, or going without care altogether.
What’s even more heartbreaking is the callousness with which some elected officials treat this issue. Watching Republican Senators dance to a disco song as they celebrated the passage of this harmful bill made me physically ill. While they partied, families across the country worried about how to care for their children, afford therapy, or keep a roof over their heads.
This isn’t political for me — it’s personal. My child is not a budget line item. He is a human being who deserves the chance to live a full and meaningful life. Every child does.
Medicaid has been a lifeline for us, and it should be protected, not gutted. No parent should have to fight this hard for basic support, and no child should have their future jeopardized by politics. The promise of America is an opportunity for all. That promise cannot be fulfilled if we dismantle the very systems that allow families like mine to survive — let alone thrive — simply to cut taxes for the wealthy.
We need to do better. We must do better. KaliDaughertyservesontheParentAdvisoryBoardoftheAutomaticBenefitsforChildrenCoalitionandisaRESULTSExpert on Poverty.
$7.25 an hour. Until then? Tip.
Raising tipped minimums to the same level as other workers has been successful when it has been tried. Despite complaints from industry groups, restaurants and server jobs have boomed since the District of Columbia began increasing the wage floor for tipped workers.
This has not been the approach of our federal government. Instead, lawmakers have toyed with the margins of the real issue of insufficient pay.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump proposed exempting tips from federal taxes. And now a similar policy, allowing for tips to be deducted from taxes, was slipped into the Republican “Big Beautiful Bill.”
At first, that sounds like a pro-worker policy. But looking past the surface reveals a policy that would help Wall Street executives more than servers.
Many tipped workers in America — two-thirds, by one measure! — don’t earn enough to have to pay federal payroll taxes in the first place. On the other end of the spectrum, some experts have warned that hedge fund managers or lawyers would likely re -
classify some of their incomes as tips to avoid taxes. Removing taxes on tips would alleviate pressures to raise tipped minimum wages and encourage more industries to treat their employees as tipped workers. No wonder the National Restaurant Association, which has long opposed wage increases for servers, has endorsed this policy.
Admittedly, there are many other places where tipping has become the norm, but employees do not receive sub-minimum wages, such as in coffee shops. While frustration with paying an extra buck or two on top of an already expensive latte is understandable, focusing on tipping is misguided.
Instead, we should wonder why workers at global chains need tips to meet their basic needs despite working full-time jobs. The solution to both problems is the same: Pay people family-sustaining wages, wages they deserve, and no one will have to complain about onerous tips ever again.
Chris Mills Rodrigo is the managing editor of Inequality.org. He wrote this op-edforInsideSources.
OPINION
