Delaware minimum wage hike proposed

State Senator Robert Marshall’s plan would increase the state minimum wage by one dollar.  

Marshall (D-Wilmington) says he’ll introduce the measure next week.  His idea would increase the minimum wage from its current $7.25 to $8.25 by 2014.  

Marshall says the increase is needed to help people trying to get by on the state’s minimum wage, which translates to just $15,000 a year.  “This is probably more a bread and butter and milk bill for low income families,” Marshall said.  He expects opposition from those in the business community.  “The state chamber and others will argue that you’re going to cause a decrease in employment opportunities, but yet the reality proved that it had no adverse affect.”

If approved, the state’s minimum wage would increase by fifty cents in January 2013, and another fifty cents in 2014.

State Representative Mike Mulrooney (D-Penwood) says the increase is overdue and will help people make ends meet.  “This money is going to go directly into the economy.  It’s not, unfortunately, going into a savings account or anything.  These people are going to spend it because they have to.”