Massachusetts Minimum Wage Raised To $11/Hour

That will be the rate by 2016, and then raises will be linked to inflation.

The bill, approved by a 32-7 vote Tuesday, would increase the wage for the state’s lowest-paid workers in increments over the next three years, starting in July 2014.

After 2016, future increases would be linked to the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast. There are currently 10 other states that index their minimum wages to the rate of inflation.

The bill now heads to the state House. Gov. Deval Patrick has expressed general support for the idea of increasing the state’s minimum wage.

The state’s minimum wage has not changed since 2008 and isn’t automatically adjusted for inflation. The legislation also would require the state’s minimum wage to always be at least 50 cents higher than the federal minimum, which is $7.25 per hour.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.