Delaware Democrat proposes $10.10 minimum wage

FIRST STATE POLITICS

Jon Offredo, The News Journal5:06 p.m. EDT March 20, 2014


(Photo: Special to The News Journal)

Delaware could see its minimum wage rate increased again after legislation boosting the rate to $10.10 in June 2016 was unveiled today by a state Senate lawmaker.

Sen. Robert Marshall, D-Wilmington West, unveiled the legislation on Thursday.

"Given what's happened elsewhere, some might be tempted to say we're not moving fast enough," Marshall said in a release. "But increasing the rate in this way, first allows our current increase to take hold and, second, gives the economic recovery a chance to gain some more steam which makes it easier for businesses to handle the increase."

Gov. Jack Markell in January signed Marshall's legislation increasing the state's minimum wage to $8.25 per hour by next June.

State labor officials estimate the increase affects about 40,000

Delawareans, according to the release.

President Barack Obama and New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon have bothannounced plans to boost the minimum wage for government workers and contractors this year.

This most recent legislation is co-sponsored by House lawmakers Rep. Gerald Brady, D-Wilmington West, and Rep. Stephanie Bolden, D-Wilmington East.

"This is essentially the same thing President Obama is proposing," Bolden said in the release. "But this will have a broader reach, since it helps everyone earning a minimum wage – not just a select group of workers, so I hope we can get this done."

Contact Jon Offredo at (302) 678-4271 or at joffredo@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @jonoffredo.

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/...raise/6663809/