Monday afternoon, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor voted 10-6 to report a bill that would raise the state minimum wage to $9.25. The vote took place along party lines, with all Democrats supporting and all Republicans opposed.
The state minimum wage is indexed to the federal minimum, currently $7.25. SB 590, introduced bySenator Dave Marsden (D – Fairfax), would raise the state minimum to $9.25. The change would happen incrementally, with separate $1.00 increases scheduled for both 2014 and 2015. If Congress were to raise the federal minimum above $9.25, the state minimum would be re-indexed at that level.
Said Sen. Marsden, “Right now, the minimum wage is not a living wage — but working families are forced to live on it anyway. A full day’s work deserves fair payment, and this bill would help hardworking Virginians to lead better lives. Studies have shown that an increase would also boost our economy.”
Many outside groups appeared in support of the measure, including the Virginia AFL-CIO, Progress Virginia, the Virginia Interfaith Center, Virginia New Majority, and Virginia Organizing.
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