R.I. minimum hourly wage rising to $9.60

GOV. GINA M. Raimondo is expected to sign legislation to raise the minimum wage to $9.60 from $9.  / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
GOV. GINA M. Raimondo is expected to sign legislation to raise the minimum wage to $9.60 from $9. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island’s minimum wage will soon climb 60 cents to $9.60 an hour.
Legislation to raise the minimum wage to $9.60 from $9 passed both chambers on Thursday and is now headed to Gov. Gina M. Raimondo for her signature.
Sponsored by state Sen. Erin P. Lynch and state Rep. David A. Bennett, Democrats from Warwick who were behind three previous minimum wage increases in Rhode Island, the change in minimum hourly wage will take effect Jan. 1.
“Putting more money in the pockets of those with the lowest wages helps them buy the basic goods and services their families need, but it also helps the economy, because those workers go out and spend that money locally, supporting local businesses. A stronger minimum wage will mean a stronger economy for Rhode Island,” Bennett said in a statement.
Said Lynch, “Raising the minimum wage helps people support themselves and reduces the likeliness that they’ll need government assistance programs. This is an increase that brings us more in line with our neighboring states, and helps our residents keep up with the costs of living in our region of the country, and will help Rhode Island’s economy keep up too.”
Legislative leaders pointed to the minimum wages of surrounding states as one reason Rhode Island needs another raise next year. The rate in Connecticut will also be $9.60 in 2016 and $10.10 in 2017. The rate in Massachusetts will rise to $10 in 2016 and $11 in 2017.
Rhode Island’s legislation only addresses 2016.
Once enacted, the legislation will bring about the fourth consecutive year of minimum wage increases in Rhode Island. Before the bill raising it from $7.40 to $7.75 on Jan. 1, 2013, it had not been increased since 2007. This January it rose from $8 to $9, according to information from the General Assembly.

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