"Would they like to live at that wage?" she asked. "Would they be able to take care of their homes and their families – and have decent health care?"

Billie Jean Campbell and her daughter, also named Billie Jean, attended Tuesday\'s celebratory news conference.

Wingo, the co-chair of ACORN in St. Paul\'s Frogtown neighborhood, was among those who celebrated at the state Capitol Tuesday when federal legislation raising the minimum wage took effect.

She was joined by other ACORN members who are current or former minimum-wage earners. They all said the increase to $7.25 by 2009 will help, but certainly won\'t ease their financial burdens.

They also worry about Gov. Tim Pawlenty\'s pledge that he won\'t sign any increases in the state minimum wage unless lawmakers enact a "tip penalty" allowing employers to pay waitresses, bartenders and other tipped workers less than the minimum.

Pawlenty\'s comments hit a nerve for Emily Pflugi, a former waitress.

"Tipping has declined so much" because of changes in the economy, she said. "There\'s no guarantee" when pay is dependent on tips.

Waitresses do a lot more than serve food and collect tips from customers, she noted. "It\'s hard work. It\'s a lot of physical labor."

Thomas Fleur earned minimum wage when he was employed as a security guard at an apartment building.

"It\'s a lot of responsibility for $6 an hour and no health insurance whatsoever," he said. Interestingly, Fleur was finally able to boost his pay when he got a new position protecting product shipments – not people.

Billie Jean Campbell brought her five-year-old daughter, also named Billie Jean, to Tuesday\'s celebratory news conference. She needs a higher wage to be able to buy school clothes, books and supplies, so her daughter can have a bright future, Campbell said.

"The living wage should be higher," she said. "It\'s for the kids."