Legislation to increase New Jersey’s hourly minimum wage to $8.50 and then adjust it annually based on the Consumer Price Index will be heard Thursday by the Assembly Labor Committee. The bill, which would boost the minimum wage as of July 1, is sponsored by Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic), Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), Speaker Pro Tem Jerry Green (D-Union/Middlesex/Somerset), Majority Conference Leader Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen), Budget Chairman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen) and Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex).
Oliver during the Assembly reorganization ceremony in January announced increasing the minimum wage – which is now $7.25 per hour – would be a Democratic priority this legislative session.
“This is economic stimulus and a recognition that thousands of households in New Jersey are struggling to subsist on minimum wage jobs that do not allow them to support their families,” Oliver said. “This is also about livable wages. Quite simply, we should all support economic stimulus, increased consumer spending and livable wages.”
“Having a minimum wage that accurately reflects the state’s economic reality is common sense, but also an essential tool that will have an immediate positive effect on our economy,” Greenwald said. “Traditionally, New Jersey has been a leader in providing economic security for its working families by ensuring a fair minimum wage. This is the time to do the right thing by increasing the minimum wage.”
The bill specifically increases New Jersey’s hourly minimum wage rate to $8.50 on July 1, 2012 and then requires that, starting in calendar year 2013, the minimum wage rate be adjusted annually based on any increase in the Consumer Price Index with the adjustment taking effect on July 1 of each year. TLS.
Is there anyone who still gets paid minimum wage of $7.25 per hour? Absolutely not.
Well, maybe the babysitters.
This is just one huge gimmick.
to #1
Bus aids in Lakewood still get $7.25 an hour as do many employee’s in certain positions at stores like ShopRite or Walmart.
wont do a darn thing. those getting minimum wage are already on welfare and other forms of public assistance.
$8.50/hour isn’t enough to survive on your own
$9/hour isnt enough to survive on your own
$10/hour isnt enough to survive on your own
HECK – even $11/hour isnt enough to survive on your own in this state.
….and i doubt they will raise minimum wage to anything higher- so if anything this is a typical democrat waste of time.
This bill is sponsored by: ALL DEMOCRATS.
Sheila Y. Oliver
Lou Greenwald
Jerry Green
Gordon Johnson
Vincent Prieto
John Wisniewski
this is why companies are laying off workers by the week