By Kirstin Garriss, CMG Washington News Bureau
Cox Media Group, January 04, 2024. Ran nationally in multiple Cox TV and radio stations.

Starting this month, millions of workers will get a bump in their paychecks. That’s because more than 20 states are boosting minimum wages. ...

But some entrepreneurs believe higher pay is an investment.

“From my perspective, this is a cost that actually gets you something in terms of recruiting, in terms of retention, in terms of the quality of the work that you put out,” said Aaron Seyedian, owner of Well-Paid Maids. ...

Read more

By Brian Beach
Nebraska Public Media, Jan. 2, 2024

On Monday, Nebraska’s minimum wage increased to $12 an hour, making it the 18th highest state minimum wage in the country and one of 25 states increasing its minimum wage this year. In 2022, Nebraska voters passed an initiative raising the minimum wage from $9 an hour up to $15 an hour by 2026, increasing by $1.50 each year. After that, the wage will be adjusted in accordance with cost of living increases.

Dave Titterington has owned the Wild Bird Habitat Store, with locations in Lincoln...

By Jacob Owens
Delaware Business Times, January 2, 2024

Delaware continued its march toward an eventual $15 minimum wage with an increase of $1.50 an hour on Monday. ...

The bill spurred a contentious debate ... But others, including business owners, said the increase will help attract workers to Delaware with the promise of higher wages, therefore decreasing turnover and allowing Delaware to remain competitive with surrounding states.

Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, an advocacy group, pushed for the hike and organized some local small business owners to push its message here. They included...

By Chris McKenna
Democrat & Chronicle, Rochester, Jan 1, 2024. Also The Press & Sun Bulletin (Binghamton).

About 1 million New Yorkers who stock store shelves and hold other low-wage jobs will get a pay boost in 2024.

New York is raising its minimum wage in January by $1 to $16 an hour for workers in New York City and the neighboring suburbs of Westchester County and Long Island. In the rest of the state, the hourly minimum is rising to $15 from $14.20, an 80-cent hike — and the realization of a $15 statewide...

By Matthew Fazelpoor
NJBIZ, January 1, 2024

As 2024 rings in, it also marks the crossing of a notable threshold here in the Garden State when the minimum wage increases Jan. 1 to $15.13 per hour. That figure, affecting some 350,000 of New Jersey’s nearly 1.9 million hourly workers, surpasses the $15 per hour goal set into law in 2019 and makes the state one of just a handful to reach that mark. ...

In a press release, Business for a Fair Minimum Wage applauded the 22 states (including New Jersey) that are ringing in...

WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5, Dec 30, 2023

The minimum wage in Maryland will increase to $15 an hour on Monday. ... The timeline was moved to Jan. 1, 2024, when Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed the Fair Wage Act of 2023 into law in April.

LISTEN: WBAL’s Robert Lang speaks with Aaron Seyedian of Well Paid Maids

LISTEN and Read more

By Dee DePass
Minneapolis Star Tribune, Dec 30, 2023

Fresh minimum wage hikes and new sick pay laws will boost the paychecks of some Twin Cities workers starting Monday ... In Minneapolis and St. Paul, the minimum hourly wage will jump to $15.57 an hour for [larger] businesses ... Smaller employers in the two cities don't have to raise their minimum wages until July 1. Minimum wage rates across the state will also jump Jan. 1 to $10.85 an hour for large employers and $8.85 for smaller businesses. ...

Steven Dyme, co-founder and chief executive...

By Casey Mendoza
Scripps News, Dec 28, 2023

At the start of the new year, 22 states and 43 cities and counties are increasing the hourly minimum wage, benefiting nearly 10 million people. And that doesn't only affect workers at major fast food chains or retail outlets; it also includes people who work at small, locally-owned businesses. ...

"I think it gives me a lot benefits in terms of recruiting, in terms of productivity, in terms of turnover," said Aaron Seyedian, owner of Well-Paid Maids.

"The more money our consumers have, the more they'll spend...

By Alex McLoon
KETV 7 (ABC) Omaha, Dec 28, 2023

Minimum wage in Nebraska is increasing to $12 an hour starting Jan. 1, 2024, after a November 2022 vote. ...The minimum wage will increase to $13.50 per hour in 2025 and $15 per hour in 2026. Minimum wage will increase in 2027 based on the cost-of-living increase ...

"I think the minimum wage is the fastest way to put more spending power in people's hands without having to rely on different programs or wealth distribution," RAYGUN owner Mike Draper said.

The clothing business is based...

By Zeninjor Enwemeka
WBUR (NPR), Boston, Dec 27, 2023. Also in El Planeta.

In 2023, Massachusetts ushered in the final increase in a "grand bargain" to lift the minimum hourly wage to $15 — one of the highest in the country. The wage floor will remain the same in 2024, but now there's a push to raise it again to $20.

Advocates say the current minimum wage — which took years to achieve — is already outdated and isn't enough for residents to live on. ... Two bills are pending at the State House that...

Buffalo Rising, Dec 27, 2023

Earlier this year, New York State passed a legislation to raise the minimum wage ...

In Buffalo, a number of small business owners have spoken out about the importance of fair wages for their employees.

“As a small business owner, I’m invested in New York and building a business to last. That’s why I welcome New York’s minimum wage increases. Both our stores have incredible followings because our employees know our changing inventory and love to help customers,” said Annie Adams, owner of Second Chic, with two clothing stores in...

By Jeff Morgan
WMAR (ABC 2) Baltimore, Dec 27, 2023. Also Yahoo News.

... So, why are two local companies excited about the idea of rising wage costs? ...

"I'm a high-wage employer, I think it gives me a lot of benefits in terms of recruiting, in terms of productivity, in terms of turnover. I know a lot of folks look at the pennies on the dollar increase of oh my costs are going up but I look at it as an investment," said Aaron Seyedian, the owner of Well Paid Maids.

"The more money...

By Kelsey Kushner
WJZ/CBS News Baltimore, Dec 26, 2023

The new year will bring a big change to the paychecks of Maryland residents. Starting on January 1, 2024, the state's minimum wage will increase to $15 for Maryland businesses. The increase is a result of the Fair Wage Law, which Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed in April, essentially moving up the timeline to implement the wage change. ...

More money in the wallet means that people will be able to buy more things like groceries and other economic goods. ...

"We think it's the fair...

By Matt Blitz
DCist, Dec 27, 2023

On January 1, the minimum wage will increase for many in Maryland from $13.25 an hour to $15 an hour. Signed in April by Governor Wes Moore, the Fair Wage Act accelerates the time frame in which the minimum wage increases. ...

Advocates applauded the move when it was signed into law earlier this year.

“It didn’t make a lot of sense that Maryland was going to get to $15 … slower than a place like Nebraska where cost of living is just considerably less,” Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president...

Aimee Picchi
CBS News (Money Watch), Dec 26, 2023

Higher minimum wages will go into effect on January 1 across 22 states ...

The higher baseline wages will deliver almost $7 billion in additional annual wages to about 9.9 million workers, [according to the] Economic Policy Institute ... On top of the state pay hikes, an additional 38 cities and counties will also increase their minimum wages, the group said. ...

"Despite continued progress by many states across the country to increase their wage floors, there are still 17.6 million workers earning less than $15...