State Democrats Introduce Minimum Wage Increase On Heels Of State Of The Union

A bill in the state Legislature would boost Michigan’s minimum wage to ten dollars an hour.

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Credit WKAR File Photo

It was introduced just a day after President Obama called for a federal minimum wage increase in his State of the Union address.

The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher has more.

Higher wages would be phased in until 20-16. After that, the state’s minimum wage would be tied to inflation.

Right now, it’s seven-forty an hour.

Democratic state Senator Bert Johnson says Michiganders can’t get by on that.

   “It’s time that we support workers, support women, support people who are just making it, so they can make more,”  he says.

The bill isn’t likely to get far in the Republican-controlled state Senate. Majority Leader Randy Richardville says he’s not on board.

“Wages and who is going to get what wage is best determined in the marketplace,”  he says.

The last time the state increased its minimum wage was in 2008.