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$.05 Here, $.06 There: Minimum Wage Rates Going Up in Ohio, Washington and New Jersey in 2017


Recently, it was announced that minimum wage rates will be going up in Ohio, Washington and New Jersey in 2017.  Of course, the minimum wage hike in both states is still a far cry from what the Fight for $15 movement would like:  Ohio will raise minimum wage rates $.05 from $8.10 to $8.15/hour; Washington will raise minimum wage rates from $9.47 to $9.53/hour; and New Jersey workers will see a $.06 increase in the minimum wage rate from $8.38 to $8.44/hour.

It is important to note that this was not the result of a hard fought piece of recent legislation (or Republican governors in Ohio or New Jersey taking action on the matter.  Note, Washington has a Democratic governor).  Instead, the increase is tied to an increase in the Consumer Price Index (which has risen .7% in the past year)

This might not be the news that proponents of minimum wage increases were hoping to hear...but it is at least a step in the right direction.  Slowly but surely that is...


For additional information on Ohio's minimum wage increase:  http://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2016/10/03/ohios-minimum-wage-increase-2017/91459428/

For additional information on Washington's minimum wage increase:   http://www.lni.wa.gov/News/2016/pr160928a.asp

For additional information on New Jersey's minimum wage increase:   http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/10/nj_minimum_wage_to_increase_to_844_on_jan_1.html

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