Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey is reviewing proposals to increase the
state's minimum wage, said his spokeswoman, Kelley Heck. "At this
point, it's likely," Heck said of an increase. The amount of a possible
increase, she said, hasn't been decided, but Codey is "committed to
ensuring that every resident has not just a minimum wage but a living
wage." State Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney, D-Deptford, chairman of the
Senate Labor Committee, said he's discussed a minimum-wage increase
with Codey and plans to advance the initiative starting with a Jan. 24
committee meeting. "New Jersey has the lowest minimum wage in the
Northeast," Sweeney said. "It's an embarrassment." Sweeney has
introduced legislation that would increase the state's minimum wage to
$7 an hour. A coalition rallied at the State House yesterday for $7.50
per hour. Sweeney said nothing specific has been decided. "There's no
hard numbers yet, and we're discussing that," Sweeney said. An increase
to $7.50 an hour would give New Jersey the highest minimum wage in the
nation. Washington now has the highest minimum wage, at $7.15 an hour,
though Oregon's will increase to $7.25 on Jan. 1. [more]
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