Governor Shumlin and Vermont legislative leaders are calling for Vermont to heed President Obama's call to raise the minimum wage in Vermont. It is $8.73 right now, third highest; the federal minimum wage currently is $7.25. Washington state has the highest at $9.32, followed by Oregon at $9.10.
Joined by several business owners, Governor Shumlin on Monday called on lawmakers to approve a phased-in increase in Vermont’s minimum wage to $10.10 by 2017. The governor, President Obama and several regional governors had issued a similar appeal for an increase at the national level, and are supporting an increase in the wage in their respective states.
“Although we are seeing some economic recovery and turnaround, we know that the folks at the bottom are not seeing prosperity,” Shumlin said today at a press conference held at Bear Pond Books, a locally owned store in downtown Montpelier. “Raising the minimum wage will give a boost to many hard-working Vermonters, particularly women, as well as the state’s economy.”
The governor added, “It’s the right thing to do.”
SEESTORY
Governor, legislative leaders call for increase in Vermont's minimum ...
Joined by several business owners, Governor Peter Shumlin today called on lawmakers to approve a phased-in increase in Vermont's...
POLL: vermontbiz.com readership poll, March 2014