Contact: Blake Case
blake@emccommunications.com, (601) 832-6079
April 11, 2023—Maryland business leaders will join Gov. Wes Moore as he signs the Fair Wage Act, accelerating the increase in the state minimum wage rate for all employers to $15 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Business owners say this will boost consumer spending and strengthen businesses and the economy.
Gov. Moore will sign the Fair Wage Act of 2023 into law at noon in the reception room on the 2nd floor of the Maryland State House. Business leaders attending include:
- Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage
- Aaron Seyedian, owner of Well-Paid Maids
- Andy Shallal, owner of Busboys and Poets restaurants
- Brian England, owner of BA Auto Care
“We’re happy to see Maryland moving faster to a $15 minimum wage,” said Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. “Raising the minimum wage will boost consumer buying power and enable workers to buy more at local businesses. It will also level the playing field, helping businesses to shift away from low-wages and high employee turnover to better wages, lower turnover and better customer service.”
Aaron Seyedian, owner of Well-Paid Maids, which serves Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, said, “Raising the minimum wage to $15 will help Marylanders make ends meet and boost consumer spending, which boosts local businesses. The cleaning industry is known for low pay, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Having doubled in size over the last year, our success is proof that fair wages are good for business.”
Michael Lastoria, founder and CEO of &pizza, a fast casual pizza chain with 15 locations in Maryland, said, “We have succeeded in the highly competitive restaurant industry by investing in our employees. When you take care of your people, they take care of your customers, and your business thrives. And minimum wage increases go back into the economy through consumer spending.”
Gina Schaefer, owner of A Few Cool Hardware Stores, a group of Ace Hardware Stores including Silver Spring Ace Hardware, Old Takoma Ace Hardware in Takoma Park, and Federal Hill Ace, Canton Ace and Waverly Ace Hardware & Garden Center in Baltimore, said, “We couldn’t have grown without our dedicated employees and the customers they serve every day. Fair pay helps us attract and retain good employees, increase sales, expand our business, and hire more employees. We’re looking forward to Maryland’s minimum wage increase.”
Andy Shallal, owner of Busboys and Poets restaurants, with locations in Baltimore, Columbia and Hyattsville, said, “Maryland’s $15 minimum wage will level the playing field for restaurants and other businesses. It will provide a fairer wage to workers and businesses will benefit directly from the added money circulating in the community.”
Maryland’s minimum wage will now increase to $15 on Jan. 1, 2024 for all employers, regardless of size. (Under the old longer timetable, the minimum wage for Maryland employers with 15 or more employees would have increased from $13.25 to $14 on Jan 1. 2024 and $15 on Jan. 1, 2025; for employers with fewer than 15 employees it would have increased from $12.80 to $13.40 on Jan 1. 2024, $14 on Jan 1. 2025, $14.60 on Jan 1. 2026 and $15 on July 1, 2026.)
Fifteen states plus D.C. have enacted a $15 minimum wage or higher (and are at various stages of phasing in increases and/or cost of living adjustments): D.C., California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia (where the General Assembly must re-enact the final steps to $15), and Washington State. Multiple states are considering substantial new increases.
To arrange an interview with Maryland business owners supportive of raising the minimum wage, please contact Blake Case at blake@emccommunications.com or (601) 832-6079.
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Business for a Fair Minimum Wage is a network of business owners and executives and business organizations that believe a fair minimum wage makes good business sense. twitter.com/MinimumWageBiz