New numbers indicate the difference between the poorest and wealthiest Virginians is larger than any time in the last 30 years. The numbers show the richest Virginians make up to five times more each year than our state's poorest workers. Lawmakers say it's the result of a shrinking middle class.
Delegate Jennifer McClellan (D), 71st District stated, "It's unfortunate, but it doesn't really surprise me."
The numbers from the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, a non-partisan think-tank, show Virginia's wage gap is the third largest in the country, behind New Jersey and Washington DC.
"Income inequality is soaring in Virginia," said Michael Cassidy of the Commonwealth Institute.
The median income in 2009 was just shy of $60,000 a year, but one-in-five Virginians earned wages at or below the poverty line that year. And some Virginians have massive yearly salaries.
"What we've seen is significant income growth, wage growth for those highest wage earners in our economy," stated Cassidy.
But much of the post-recession job growth in Virginia is in low-wage fields, including retail and hospitality. Lawmakers say they need to provide more options for Virginians living near the poverty line.
McClellan explained, "I think if we focused a little more on career and technical education, I mean, not everybody's going to go to a four year college."
Policy analysts say closing the gap will not happen on its own.
"We can do something about building a middle class, having an economy that works for more people," Cassidy remarked.
Delegate McClellan says she also hopes to see the state expand unemployment benefits, to allow people who are taking job training classes or working part-time jobs to receive benefits while searching for full-time work.
