The Senate Wednesday approved legislation that will raise Rhode Island’s minimum wage to $8 per hour, beginning next January 1.
The bill, 2013-S 0256Aaa, provides a 25 cents per hour increase over the state’s current minimum wage of $7.75.
“Individuals working minimum wage jobs in the state, jobs that are absolutely vital to keep our economy running and many businesses functioning, need to earn a fair, living wage,” said Sen. Erin P. Lynch (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston), the bill’s sponsor. “Despite the increase proposed in this bill, it will still be difficult for someone working full-time to support a family on $8 an hour. What this increase is intended to do is make it just a little easier for these folks to make ends meet in a state and a region of the country that we all know has a high cost of living.”
Rhode Island’s current minimum wage of $7.75 went into effect this January, as a result of legislation enacted by the General Assembly last session that was also sponsored by Senator Lynch.
Until the increase was put into place this year, said Senator Lynch, Rhode Island had gone the longest of the New England states without a minimum wage increase, in the face of growing inflation over the previous five years. The last increase, prior to 2013, was in 2007.
Not only will the increase to $8 help those at the bottom of the pay scale make a little more, the timing of the increase – at the beginning of the calendar year – will ensure that businesses have ample time between now and then to prepare to implement the new rate, she said.
The $8 minimum wage will make Rhode Island’s wage the third-highest in New England, tied with Massachusetts at $8 and behind Vermont at $8.60 and Connecticut at $8.25. The minimum wage is $7.50 in Maine and $7.25 in New Hampshire. The federal minimum wage, which has not changed since 2009, is $7.25.
The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick), Sen. Frank S. Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston), Sen. Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, New Shoreham, South Kingstown).
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. Similar legislation, 2013-H 5079, has been introduced in that chamber by Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston).