Minimum wage increases grew in 2015
BUSINESS RECORD STAFF Dec 29, 2015 | 9:48 pm
2 min read time
364 wordsAll Latest News, Education, Government Policy and LawFollowing the examples set by San Francisco and Seattle, 14 city, county and state governments approved a hike to $15 in their local minimum hourly pay, according to the National Employment Law Project.
Even more will have more moderate increases in their local minimum wage in 2015, and momentum on the issue is likely to continue into the new year,reports CNNMoney.
Lawmakers in 13 states and cities — including California, New York and Washington, D.C. — have proposed legislation and ballot measures calling for a $15 minimum that will get consideration in 2016.
In most places, the increase to $15 is being phased in over a few years to give businesses a little time to adjust. That’s because a $15 minimum often reflects an increase of 50 percent or more over the local minimum in place today. And it represents a 107 percent increase over the $7.25 federal minimum wage.
New York made headlines this year when Gov. Andrew Cuomo bypassed the state legislature to put in place a $15 minimum for fast-food workers at large chains. He also mandated it for state workers. Now Cuomo is suggesting that all businesses in New York pay a $15 minimum, a proposal that lawmakers in Albany are expected to take up early in the new year.
At least 13 other states will see their minimum wages go up next year as a result of prior legislation. Here’s a list of many places where low-income workers will see more in their paychecks at some point in 2016.
STATES:
Alaska: $9.75, up $1
Arkansas: $8, up 50 cents
California: $10, up $1
Connecticut: $9.60, up 45 cents
Hawaii: $8.50, up 75 cents
Maryland: $8.75, up 75 cents
Massachusetts: $10, up $1
Michigan: $8.50, up 35 cents
Nebraska: $9, up $1
New York: $9, up $0.25
Rhode Island: $9.60, up 60 cents
Vermont: $9.60, up 45 cents
West Virginia: $8.75, up 75 cents
Ten states — Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington — will see small cost-of-living increases in their minimum wages. At least 10 more cities or counties, including Johnson County in Iowa, passed ordinances to increase the local minimum wage.
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