(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz are hailing the Connecticut House of Representatives today for adopting legislation that will raise the minimum wage in the state to $15.00 through a gradual series of increases over the next several years, and then index it to the federal employment cost index.
“If our economy doesn’t work for everyone, then it doesn’t work. It’s that simple,” Governor Lamont said. “I’m doing everything possible to engage the business community so they can grow here, relocate or stay and hire Connecticut residents who represent the top workforce in the country. In order to grow, we need policies that protect our workforce and the small businesses who need them. Raising the minimum wage will help lift families out of poverty, combat persistent pay disparities between races and genders, and stimulate our economy. This compromise represents a fair, gradual increase that will improve the lives of working families in our state who struggle to pay for childcare, afford tuition, put food on the table, pay the mortgage, or cover the rent. I applaud the action taken by the House today and urge the Senate to swiftly approve as well so that I may proudly sign this into law.”
“Women’s issues are economic issues and in Connecticut, the majority of minimum wage earners are hardworking women,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour lifts up families in our state, especially the over 170,000 households that are headed by women. It also helps get us closer to closing the gender pay gap and provides relief for all workers by allowing them to meet basic financial needs.”
The legislation is HB 5004, An Act Increasing the Minimum Fair Wage. It closely mirrors legislation Governor Lamont introduced earlier this year raising the minimum wage to $15.00.
The bill next needs to be approved by the State Senate before it can be transmitted to the governor for his signature.