NJ Senate moves minimum wage bill closer to voters

An effort to raise New Jersey’s minimum wage has moved one step closer to voters.

The Senate on Thursday approved a resolution to call for a constitutional amendment to raise the rate and tie further increases to the Consumer Price Index.

Voters could decide the issue in November.

 

To be placed on the ballot, the resolution has to pass both houses. It goes next to the Assembly.

If approved, it would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.25 next January and would increase based on the annual price index.

Last month Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill that would have raised the minimum wage by $1.25 per hour. He suggested a $1 per hour wage increase if Democrats agree to phase it in over three years.