Reuters reported that on Monday, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has given her approval on the gradual hike in the minimum wage in the state to $10.10 an hour. This latest development is a win for Democrats as they seek to make the issue of minimum wage a top issue ahead of the midterm congressional elections to be held in November this year.
Because of O'Malley's signature, the base wage in Maryland to the new rate by July 2018 will be done in stages from its current $7.25 an hour level, which is currently the federal minimum. Aside from Maryland, Reuters said California, Hawaii, Connecticut and the District of Columbia has already passed or is in the process of passing a law that increases the minimum wage.
In a statement, O'Malley, who is also mulling a presidential campaign, said, "Strengthening Maryland's middle class has been the North Star of my administration."
The law, said Baltimore Sun, will see the increase of the current $7.25 per hour rate to $8 January 1st and $8.25 on July 1, 2015. Subsequent increases will bring it to $8.75 on July 1, 2016, $9.25 on July 1, 2017, until it reaches the desired increase of $10.10 in 2018.
Baltimore Sun said that in the signing ceremony, O'Malley was joined by US Labor Secretary Thomas E Perez to represent President Barack Obama. Obama had long been championing the increase of the minimum wage, which had been facing opposition from Republicans claiming that it will instead lead to more costs to the employers and subsequently to loss of jobs.
"This will be good for Maryland business, good for Maryland workers and a good example for the country," Perez said.
Obama and Democrats have yet to penetrate the Republican-controlled House of Representatives following its failure to win the backing of the House regarding the raise of the federal minimum wage. Last week, the Democrat-controlled Senate was unable to secure 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster on the issue, Reuters said.
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