233.1 - Good News: minimum wage workers get a raise

Good News: minimum wage workers get a raise

Two bits of good news to start the year: First, minimum wage workers in 14 states got a raise as of January 1. In 12 of those states, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia, the increase came as a result of legislative action.

In the other two - Colorado and South Dakota - the increase is due to a cost of living increase tied to inflation.

The new minimums in these states range from a low of $8/hour in Arkansas up to $10/hour in California and Massachusetts. All of them ae clearly above the paltry federal minimum of $7.25/hour - and while there are still not enough to live on, the increases are still Good News.


Sources cited in links:
http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/275768/14-states-raise-minimum-wage/
http://www.natlawreview.com/article/new-year-new-wages-minimum-wage-rates-around-states