WITH 67 PERCENT OF VOTERS IN THIS MONTH’S ELECTION SUPPORTING AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE…SENATOR KIMBERLY LIGHTFORD OF WESTCHESTER SAYS THERE IS NO REASON NOT TO PUSH AHEAD ON THE ISSUE.

[audio:112014raisewage1.mp3] [/audio]

SENATOR HEATHER STEANS (stains) OF CHICAGO SAYS THE BILL WOULD BOOST THE PRESENT MINIMUM WAGE OF EIGHT DOLLARS AND 25 CENTS UP TO 10 DOLLARS AN HOUR IN JULY. IT WOULD THEN RISE TO 10-50 IN JULY OF 2016, AND 11 DOLLARS AN HOUR THE FOLLOWING JULY. SHE SAYS IT’S NOT RIGHT THAT PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING 40 HOURS A WEEK AND STILL LIVING IN POVERTY.

[audio:112014raisewage2.mp3] [/audio]

THE REVISED LEGISLATION RAISES THE MINIMUM WAGE TO 10 DOLLARS AN HOUR NEXT JULY. IT WOULD GO UP TO 10-50 IN JULY OF 2016…AND FINALLY BE INCREASED TO 11 DOLLARS AN HOUR IN JULY OF 2017.SUPPORTERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROPOSED MINIMUM WAGE HIKE VOTED ON BY THE END OF THE YEAR.