By Laura Layden
Naples Daily News, May 11, 2014
When it comes to hiking the minimum wage, some states aren’t waiting for the federal government to act. Three states recently agreed to increase their mandated hourly wage to $10.10 per hour. A proposal to do the same for virtually all workers in Florida went nowhere this legislative session, however. Federal legislation would raise wages to that amount in three steps, and index them to inflation. ...
Recent polls have shown strong public support for raising the minimum wage, which hasn’t increased since 2009. The federal minimum wage now stands at $7.25 an hour, 68 cents less than Florida’s. ... In Florida, the minimum wage is adjusted annually for inflation and last rose by 14 cents in January. It equates to $16,494 annually for a year-round worker. ...
In March, Connecticut became the first state to pass legislation establishing a $10.10 minimum wage. Maryland and Hawaii followed.
The proposal to increase the federal minimum wage has some big opponents with political clout, including trade groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Restaurant Association and the National Federation of Independent Business.
On the flip side, nearly 1,000 businesses and business organizations across the country have signed a Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Statement in favor of the federal hike. Signors include well-known companies, such as Costco and Ben & Jerry’s, as well as smaller businesses including independently owned Ace Hardware stores outside Florida.
Read more: Bradenton Herald