House approves $15 minimum wage for Connecticut after marathon debate (CT)
Source: Hartford Courant
After an overnight debate, the state House of Representatives voted Thursday to raise Connecticut’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2023.
The debate began at 10 p.m. and wrapped up with a 85-59 vote shortly after noon. Much of the time was taken up by Republicans who spoke to a sometimes-empty House chamber about how increasing the minimum wage would stifle the state’s already lackluster economic growth.
All Republicans present, and two Democrats, Rep. Pat Boyd of Pomfret and Rep. Chris Ziogas of Bristol, voted against the measure.
“I’m not sure I’m changing any minds,” Rep. Tom O’Dea, R-Wilton, said at 9 a.m. during a long speech where he said raising the wage would lead to fewer jobs. “We are in the tank.”
Another Republican, Rep. Richard Smith of New Fairfield, said he was concerned about potential damage to the state’s economy, as well as high-profile departures such as the move of General Electric Company’s headquarters to Boston after four decades in Fairfield.
Read more: https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-minimum-wage-house-20190509-djpw2nwwxva6tihllxukcepwam-story.html
This is almost sure to pass the Senate and be signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont.
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