NEW: Lawmaker Hopes to raise Minimum Wage

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Legislation to increase the minimum wage to $7.75 will be heard by the House Committee on Labor when it meets Wednesday, February 29. The hearing will be held in Room 203 of the State House and will begin at the Rise of the House.

Sponsored by Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick), the bill, 2012-H 7396, would raise the minimum to $7.75 on January 1, 2013 (it is currently $7.40) and provide for annual increases beginning in 2014 based on the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Region.

Critics have suggested there is a link between the state's high unemployment rate and the minimum wage, which is 15 cents higher than the federal minimum.

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