minimum wage

Sen. Reed bill will Hike Minimum Wage

John Bender — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:09:20 +0000

Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed is supporting a bill that would increase the federal minimum wage over the next three years.

The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25. The so-called “Federal Wage Act” would increase that wage by 95 cents annually until it reaches $10.10 by 2015.

However the buying power of minimum wage has decreased significantly, and the new boost may not be enough in Rhode Island, says Kate Brewster, the executive director of The Economic Progress Institute.

General Assembly begins budget process this week

Ian Donnis — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:05:24 +0000

Legislative committees are set Tuesday to begin reviewing Governor Lincoln Chafee’s proposed budget for the fiscal year starting in July. This is one of many meetings where lawmakers will hash over the budget.

Pay raise for RI minimum wage workers

Catherine Welch and ca — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 14:48:33 +0000

(PROVIDENCE, RI)
Minimum wage workers in Rhode Island are getting a pay raise Tuesday. The state’s minimum wage is going up for the first time in five years.

Legislation raising the minimum wage in Rhode Island goes back to 1956, when it was $0.90 an hour. State labor numbers find about 10,000 Rhode Islanders earn the minimum wage, and will get a bump in their next pay check. Sydonia Lary works two hourly wage jobs in Providence. She’s pleased the state’s minimum wage is going up.

Morning News Podcast: December 26, 2012

Lydia Rogers — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:53:34 +0000

The Rhode Island minimum wage goes up in 2013. Our Top Ten stories of 2012 continues with a look back when Brown University got a new president. These stories and more on the morning news podcast.