Congress Introduces Bill to Raise Federal Minimum Wage

(May 7, 2015) Legislation has recently been introduced on Capitol Hill that would gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $12 an hour over five years, and then index it to median wage growth. The co-sponsored bill by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) would increase the minimum wage for about a quarter of the American workforce. Specifically, the proposal would raise the minimum national hourly wage (which is currently at $7.25 an hour) to $8 in 2016 and increase it by a dollar annually in subsequent years, hitting $12 in 2020. A total of 32 Democrats signed on as co-sponsors in the Senate and 160 Democrats in the House. However, given the lack of support from Republicans and with Republicans holding control of both chambers, it seems unlikely that the measure would advance.

Minimum Wage Legislation Yet to Receive Vote

(April 17, 2014)  OGA continues to monitor legislation that would raise the minimum wage to $10.10/hr and index future increases to inflation. We believe it may yet get taken up for consideration by the Senate after the Easer recess. Please join OGA in contacting Senator Brown and Senator Portman in expressing your opposition to raising the minimum wage. Click here to express your opposition.

On a wage-related note, the Senate failed to advance the Paycheck Fairness Act which would have exposed our members regardless of size to potential lawsuits and outlawed many legitimate practices that employers currently use to set employee pay rates.