Posted on 11/22/2013 6:26:09 PM PST by matt04
The Massachusetts Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to raise the state's minimum wage from $8 an hour to $11 an hour over three years, giving a boost to nearly 600,000 workers and putting the state on track for the highest such pay in the nation.
The Senate voted 32-7 to approve the increase.
Under the bill, amended during debate, the minimum wage would increase to $9 an hour on July 1, $10 an hour on July 1, 2015, and $11 an hour starting July 1, 2016. The minimum wage in Massachusetts last increased to $8 an hour in January 2008.
In the shadow of a looming 2014 ballot question on the minimum wage, the Senate also voted 31-7 to increase the wage for tipped employees to half the minimum wage. The tipped wage is currently $2.63 per hour.
One supporter, Sen. Mark C. Montigny, a New Bedford Democrat, said the bill might help close the growing gap between the rich and poor.
"Tens of thousands of people are working full time and living below the poverty level," Montigny said. "It is inexcusable."
The bill now moves to the state House of Representatives, which is unlikely to vote on a minimum wage bill until sometime next year.
The bill for the first time would index the state's minimum wage to inflation. Starting in 2016, the minimum wage would rise each year at the same rate as the consumer price index for the Northeast.
Supporters have said the increase is needed because some companies are making strong profits, but lower wage workers are falling behind.
Opponents, including some business leaders, said that an increase would hike costs for businesses and could prompt layoffs.
(Excerpt) Read more at masslive.com ...
It will be interesting to see where Taxachusetts ranks after this law passes and takes effect.
Seriously, Democrats constantly double down on dumb.
This will guarantee that young black males can’t get jobs.
Well then Businesses in Massachusetts should increase prices to cover the wage increase.
Let citizens see the price increases asap.
On a positive note, surprisingly voters in the Peoples Republic of Memphis rejected a sales tax increase by a win of 60%. The reason- they didn’t trust politicians.
DemoRAT run Taxachsetts ...ONE F’d UP Commonwealth
Hopefully they do.
send your jobs to florida please
Yeah and the next frontier is the fast food industry. I just wonder
What teens and those with limited intelligence are going to do to get their
Foot on the job ladder...
Or their sisters Shaniqkwa and Taniqkwa.....
If $11 is good, why not $12, or $20, or heck lets just go to $50 per hour.
I thought VA was stuck on stupid; she has plenty of company in other commonwealths too.
What a moron. No wonder our country is in such bad shape.
And if the inflation rate is negative the tax rate goes down? Right?
Didn’t think so...
That's what this is all about. Nobody cares how many minimum wage jobs disappear, as long as "Da Boyz" get theirs - and keep the kickbacks and campaign contributions flowing.
“Look for massive layoffs for minimum wage employees ... stupid, stupid, stupid.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhvDMhrws1o
“Sorry, kid, I’m gonna hafta letcha go.”
Say hello to a three hour wait for a $15 hamburger in undermanned McDonald’s all across the state!
Rather than how many million served, the sign will now say, “You want it for $5, make your own damn hamburger!”
A lot of burger flippers will be fired who just arent worth $11 an hour.
_______________________
I think what will happen is that industries like fast food will become more highly automated. This will result in the need for far fewer employees and allow McDonald’s to only hire people that can speak clearly, don’t have tattoos and don’t give customers the willies.
Machines are about to remind a lot of rap & hip-hop thugs, saggy pants wearing I-phone addicted loser that they can be replaced and not only replaced not missed.
Service, cleanliness and hospitality will improve and the price will come down.
Good bye losers don’t say you were not warned
Ten years ago we paid 10.00 an hour ,and that was a small group.
Hey! How come everything on the dollar menu costs $5?
That is our plan, as well!
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