The Massachusetts House is debating a bill that would raise the minimum wage for the first time since 2008 to $10.50 an hour by 2016.
Representative Tom Conroy, a sponsor of the bill, says make no mistake. this increase is not going ot make a low wage worker suddenly wealthy:
“This bill is a significant step in the right direction," he said. "And will make it just a little easier for parents to make ends meet and ease the financial pressure in their households.”
The legislation would make business-friendly changes to the unemployment insureance system, like stopping a 30 percent hike in unemployment taxes scheduled for the end of May. The bill also includes basic workplace protections for the 67,000 nannies, caregivers, and housekeepers in the state.
The senate has already approved separate minimum wage and unemployment insurance bills. The senate bill would increase the wage to $11 dollars an hour - instead of $10.50- and would link future hikes to inflation.
The House bill would not link minimum wage to inflation.
