Bill Being Debated to Raise Minimum Wage to $10.10 in Rhode Island
Twitter: @markcurtisABC6
Businesses in
Governor Raimondo endorsed the increase at a local union hall Monday, saying it’s fair to workers and companies.
“If you have an employee who makes so little, that they have to keep down two or three jobs, and they can’t show up on time, or they can’t stay, that’s – over time – more expensive for these companies,” said Gov. Gina Raimondo, (R) Rhode Island.
Members of local unions, who were opposed to pension reforms under then-Treasurer Raimondo, are backing her on this saying the minimum wage is too low.
“That’s unacceptable. So we have to bring everybody’s pay up. We have to put money into people’s pocket,” said George Nee, head of the RI AFL-CIO.
ABC 6 Chief Political Reporter mark Curtis said, “Well critics are already promising a fight. After all, the minimum wage just went up in
State Representative Doreen Costa, is also a small business woman with a coffee and sandwich shop in
She will oppose the minimum wage increase this year.
“It’s very unfair to the small businesses. I’ve been struggling all winter because it’s been a really difficult winter. So, I mean the ‘big box’ stores, they can afford it. But the mom and pop stores just can’t, so maybe another time, but right now I couldn’t support that,” said State Rep. Doreen Costa, (R) North Kingstown-Exeter.
But Costa admits with Democrats dominating the General Assembly, it may be hard to stop a hike in the minimum wage.
