THE STATE HOUSE LATE WEDNESDAY APPROVED HOUSE BILL 31, WHICH HIKES THE MINIMUM WAGE. THE MEASURE WAS APPROVED IN THE HOUSE ON A 44-TO-26 VOTE AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE. THE SENATE WILL ALSO EVENTUALLY VOTE ON A BILL FOR A SMALLER WAGE INCREASE THAN WHAT’S INCLUDED IN HOUSE BILL 31.
hOUSE BILL 31 WOULD RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE TO 10 DOLLARS AN HOUR IN JULY AND TOP OUT AT 12-DOLLARS AN HOUR IN 2021. REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER OPPOSE IT. THEY SAY RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE WOULD FORCE SOME RESTAURANTS TO POSSIBLY CLOSE. THEY ALSO SAY PHASING OUT TIPPED WAGES WOULD DISRUPT A BUSINESS MODEL THAT HAS WORKED WELL.
