Minimum Wage Increase Nearing Passage

This week, the Senate Finance and Budget and Taxation committee voted to increase the state’s minimum wage to $10.10 per hour by 2018. The administration’s legislation, HB 295, was amended to spread out the $2.85 increase over a 4 year period. The first two increases will take place in 2015, starting January 1 at $8 a hour and July 1 at $8.25 a hour. Each additional increase, to $8.75, $9.25 and $10.10, will occur July 1 of each year through 2018. The bill also includes a training wage for individuals under 20 years for 6 months at 85 percent of the State’s minimum wage.

The Maryland Chamber continues to oppose this legislation as the additional labor cost will greatly impact Maryland’s small businesses. Employer mandates such as this continues to be a contributing factor to our fragile economic recovery. Businesses will now be forced to make difficult decisions on whether or not they will need to trim employee’s hours, shorten their operation hours, increase costs or close their doors.

HB 295 is currently on the Senate Floor for passage.

Legislative Issues Tag: Employment Issues