House hearing on minimum wage bill coming on Wednesday

210
Advertisement
 
A bill seeking to raise Delaware’s minimum wage to $15 an hour is slated to be heard in committee on Wednesday.
 
The House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee will consider Senate Bill 15  at 3 p.m. on April 21. To attend the meeting or offer testimony during the virtual event use this link  then click on “meeting link.”
 
The bill cleared the Senate last month by a margin of 14 to seven. The Senate has added more progressive Democrats who are backing the bill. The House, while controlled by Democrats, has some  members with small business ties.
 
The legislation calls for the state’s current $9.25 per hour minimum wage to be raised over three years. The first increase of a $1.25 per hour would take effect on New Year’s Day, 2022.
 
The $15 per hour minimum wage would go into effect on  January 1, 2025.
 
Republicans have argued the bill comes at the wrong time, since many businesses are still dealing with Covid-19 restrictions. The increase has also  been opposed by the Delaware Restaurant Association and chambers of commerce.
 
Critics  also point to a Congressional Budget Office study the indicated that jobs would be lost and would offset some people moving out of poverty.
 
Supporters say the bill would move working families out of poverty. They also point out the corporations such as Amazon and Target have already moved base pay to $15 or more. 
 
Neighboring Maryland and New Jersey are also on a path toward the $15 an hour wage. 
 
Polls in Delaware and elsewhere show broad support for the minimum wage.
 
Advertisement
Advertisement