Rep. Morales pushes to increase min. wage to $20

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island General Assembly shared today legislation sponsored by Rep. David Morales would increase the minimum wage to $20 by 2029 and link future increases to inflation.

Rep. Morales shared, “As the cost of living continues to increase, our workers earning minimum wage deserve higher wages.”

“With over 70,000 Rhode Islanders working for minimum wage, it is our responsibility to ensure that the minimum wage is a living wage because working one full-time job should be enough,” he added.

If passed, this bill would amend state minimum wage to increase by $1.25 each year, beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and concluding Jan. 1, 2029.

These numbers were conducted based on the Consumer Price Index per the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics and designed to keep up with increased cost of living.

Rep. Morales said, “We know that the cost of living is not going to stop rising. Therefore it is important that all of our workers can count on an increased wage going into January 1 of each year.”

Legislation will be heard in the House today at 4:00 P.M.

Rep. Morales encourages those impacted to share their stories before the committee.