Lawmakers discuss a minimum wage increase in N.J.

    New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney wants to have a discussion about helping the state’s working poor.

    He’s advocating for a $1.25/hour increase in the minimum wage bringing rates up from the current $7.25/hour to $8.50. He’d also like to see an annual increase, which he says, could give a boost to the state economy and lower unemployment.

    The South Jersey Times reports that for the $66,400 New Jersey women supporting a household on the state’s minimum wage, that extra $60 a week could make all the difference.

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    But for small businesses, the increase in would have a significant impact on their bottom line.

    According to the South Jersey Times, “the statewide move has been unofficially struck down by the governor who has promised to veto the measure.

    Read the full story on NJ.com.

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