Senate President Soucy’s Minimum Wage Bill Moves Forward
Contact Name: Sara Persechino
Phone: (603) 271-3479
Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 731, 14-10, which would reestablish and raise New Hampshire’s minimum wage. As amended, this bill mirrors the language of SB 410, sponsored by Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester), and raises the minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2021 and $12 per hour in 2023. HB 731 next goes to the House of Representative for a concurrence vote, which requires a simple majority.
After the vote, prime sponsor Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) issued the following statement:
“New Hampshire families are hurting. Hard working Granite Staters earning the $7.25 per hour minimum wage make just $290 per week. The economic disparity felt by those workers has gone on for far too long, and the impact has been felt even more during this economic downturn. It is well past time we reinstate and set New Hampshire’s minimum wage.
Right now, New Hampshire is the only state in New England that does not set our own minimum wage and instead relies on the federal government to set it. Over the years we have rapidly fallen behind our neighboring states, driving away the workers we so desperately need. Our surrounding states all have a minimum wage of at least $10 per hour. A person working full time hours should not fall below the wage threshold to qualify for public assistance -- that is just plain wrong. A living wage means security and resiliency, both for individuals but for the state as a whole. It is far past time to reestablish and raise New Hampshire’s minimum wage.”
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