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 Harrington Maury
The Published Reporter, Dec 27, 2023

On the forthcoming Monday, the state of Arizona, along with 21 additional states, is poised to witness a notable augmentation in its minimum wage.

Concurrently, the states of Nevada, Oregon, and Florida, alongside the District of Columbia, are anticipated to institute analogous increases in their minimum wage rates later in the year 2024, as reported by Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. ...

It is noteworthy that numerous companies operating nationwide express a favorable stance towards the prospect of an escalated minimum wage. 

Their support is...

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Advocates say the current minimum wage — which took years to achieve — is already outdated and isn't enough for residents to live on.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...

By Michael Gormley
Newsday, Dec 26, 2023

ALBANY — Millions of New Yorkers will see a little more in their pay beginning Jan. 1 as the minimum wage rises to $16 an hour in most areas including on Long Island, with future raises tied to increases to inflation. ...

Supporters, however, say raising the minimum wage will help boost the economy.

“Minimum wage increases turn into spending on food, car repairs, school supplies and more,” said Phil Andrews, president of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce. “Small businesses thrive when the people who...

By David Veenstra
KTAR News (Phoenix), Dec 26, 2023

Arizona and 21 other states will see a minimum wage increase on Monday. ...

Many companies across the country are in favor of an increased minimum wage, citing the benefits of consumer spending and employee well-being.

“Minimum wage increases are a great way to start the new year,” Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, said in a press release. “They help workers put food on the table and keep a roof overhead and they boost the consumer spending that businesses depend...

By Andy Medici
The Business Journals, The Playbook, Dec 22, 2023. In multiple city business journals across the U.S.

Minimum wages are going up in dozens of cities and states on Jan. 1, in large part because of automatic increases set by legislation. ...

“Minimum wage increases are a great way to start the new year,” said Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, in a news release. “They help workers put food on the table and keep a roof overhead, and they boost the consumer spending that businesses depend on. Fairer...

FingerLakes1, Dec 22, 2023 

New York State is gearing up for a significant increase in the minimum wage, setting the new standard at $15 per hour [upstate] starting on January 1. The plan includes subsequent raises of 50 cents over the next two years and provisions to index the minimum wage to inflation annually starting in 2027. ...

Business perspectives also vary, with some owners, like Annie Adams of Second Chic in Buffalo, embracing the increase as a strategy to reduce employee turnover and boost local spending. ...

Read more

By Erin Russell
Eater Austin, Dec 22, 2023

... Pat Sharpe, restaurant critic, Texas Monthly:

Adam Orman, the owner of L’Oca d’Oro has been a tireless advocate and eloquent spokesman for better pay for restaurant employees for years. Just recently he was quoted here in support of a bill introduced into Congress to gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour. (It was last increased 14 years ago, so it’s way overdue). ...

Jane Ko, blogger, A Taste of Koko:

Adam Orman at L’Oca d’Oro is still continuing the good work with Good...

By Sean Salai
The Washington Times, December 21, 2023

Hourly workers in half of the states will see minimum wage increases in 2024 ...

Such increases are “essential” as long as the federal minimum wage remains stagnant at $7.25 an hour in the face of high inflation, said Holly Sklar, CEO of the advocacy group Business for a Fair Minimum Wage.

“Unfortunately, federal minimum wage increases have been too little, too late in recent decades and [have] fallen further and further behind the cost of living,” Ms. Sklar added. ...

Read more