Minimum wage legislation headed to Governor’s desk
By News Staff
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Legislation to raise
The legislation, sponsored by Senator Erin P. Lynch and Representative David A. Bennett, will raise the state’s minimum hourly wage from $9 to $9.60, which will be effective January 1st of 2016.
Senator Lynch and Rep. Bennett were responsible for the previous three minimum wage increases in the state.
“Putting more money in the pockets of those with the lowest wages helps them buy the basic goods and services their families need, but it also helps the economy, because those workers go out and spend that money locally, supporting local businesses. A stronger minimum wage will mean a stronger economy for
“Raising the minimum wage helps people support themselves and reduces the likeliness that they’ll need government assistance programs. This is an increase that brings us more in line with our neighboring states, and helps our residents keep up with the costs of living in our region of the country, and will help Rhode Island’s economy keep up too,” said Senator Lynch.
The raise of minimum wage in surrounding states was one reason legislators felt
Once enacted, this will be the fourth consecutive year of incremental minimum wage increases in
Before Lynch and Bennett raised it from $7.40 to $7.75 on Jan. 1, 2013, it had not been increased since 2007. This January it rose from $8 to $9.
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