Consider This...

July 7, 2006

Are you ready for the best news to come out of Raleigh thus far this year?

North Carolina is about to get an increase in the minimum wage.

The N.C. Senate today gave preliminary approval to the House’s version of a bill that would increase the state minimum wage to $6.15 an hour, a dollar above the federal minimum. The Senate vote was by such a huge margin (32-8) that the required second vote on Monday will likely be only a formality.

Gov. Mike Easley has already publicly declared his support for the dollar increase.

North Carolina ’s working people owe a big debt of gratitude to Rep. Alma Adams, who has championed this bill for years, and the rest of the members of the General Assembly who worked to make this victory a reality.

The Common Sense Foundation published a study earlier in this session calling for an increase in the minimum wage (click here to read the study). Common Sense worked hard as part of the North Carolinians for Fair Wages coalition, which played a powerful role in achieving this blow for economic justice for all.

Next week, of course, work will begin on obtaining another increase in 2007 ($6.15 is still so small) and getting the minimum wage tied to inflation. This week, however, we can celebrate.