NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE RISES TO $5.85

The minimum wage rose $0.70 today (July 24) from $5.15 to $5.85 an hour, the first of three scheduled increases that will ultimately raise the wage to $7.25 in two years. Thirty states and the District of Columbia have minimum wages higher than the federal standard, so today’s increase actually only effects 20 states and is extended only to covered, non-exempt employees. The last wage increase was a two-step increase in 1996 and 1997.

While the increase is supported by low-income activists, the director of labor law policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce says it could mean fewer hours for employees, fewer pay increases for other employees, benefits reductions, job losses and waning job creation.