Higher Minimum Wage Signed Into Law
Last Edited: Thursday, 13 Jul 2006, 11:18 PM GMT Created: Thursday, 13 Jul 2006, 11:18 PM GMT
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Governor Easley signed the bill today that raises the minimum wage by one dollar to six dollars, 15 cents.

At the signing ceremony Wednesday, Easley said the new wage will help many North Carolinians deal with the rising costs of transportation, housing, healthcare and other basic needs.

Data collected by the U-S Census Bureau shows the increase in North Carolina's minimum wage will benefit 139,000 workers.

The new wage takes effect on January first.

The measure also ties North Carolina's minimum wage to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. If the federal minimum wage is raised, employees in North Carolina will receive whichever wage is higher. The federal minimum wage is currently five-15 an hour and has not been raised in nine years.
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