As minimum wage bills aim to push lower-income earners around the country above the poverty line, Virginia could join the fold.
As minimum wage bills aim to push lower-income earners around the country above the poverty line, Virginia could join the fold.
Delegate Marcus Simon (D-Fairfax) has proposed HB 1512, which would raise Virginia’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15.15.
“Higher wages are the best way to stimulate economic growth, allowing people to spend more money and increase consumption that will boost the local, regional and state economy,” said Del. Simon in a press release sent out earlier this week.
If Simon’s bill passes, it would require all employers to pay a minimum wage of $15.15/hour by July 2015. After that, yearly increases would be tied to the Consumer Price Index, which Simon said would “ensure that the wage remains a dynamic amount that reflects current inflation rates.”
“[January 5th] is the 101st anniversary of Henry Ford’s landmark decision to raise the wage of his employees to $5.00 per hour,” Simon said, commenting on MD’s wage increase to $8.00 and DC’s $9.50.
“If our neighbors see the benefit in investing in their workers, we should too.”
“As a home care provider I work hard every day to care for people with disabilities, but my wages make it difficult to care for myself and my family. A $15.15 minimum wage means I won’t have to choose between paying my bills and putting food on the table,” explained Lauralyn Clark, a home care provider and SEIU Virginia 512 member.
“Delegate Simon’s bill will help working families get ahead, not just get by,” stated Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority. “Raising the minimum wage would put more money into the pockets of hard working Americans, giving them more money to spend, which in turn boosts our economy.”
“The Federal minimum wage has not been indexed to keep up with ordinary inflation,” said Simon. “Although recent indicators tell us the national economy is growing, for too many their household budgets are not.”
HB 1512 is currently awaiting committee approval, and RVAMag will be following this bill as it progresses.
