N.J. may hike minimum wage

Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey is reviewing proposals to increase the state's minimum wage, said his spokeswoman, Kelley Heck. "At this point, it's likely," Heck said of an increase. The amount of a possible increase, she said, hasn't been decided, but Codey is "committed to ensuring that every resident has not just a minimum wage but a living wage." State Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney, D-Deptford, chairman of the Senate Labor Committee, said he's discussed a minimum-wage increase with Codey and plans to advance the initiative starting with a Jan. 24 committee meeting. "New Jersey has the lowest minimum wage in the Northeast," Sweeney said. "It's an embarrassment." Sweeney has introduced legislation that would increase the state's minimum wage to $7 an hour. A coalition rallied at the State House yesterday for $7.50 per hour. Sweeney said nothing specific has been decided. "There's no hard numbers yet, and we're discussing that," Sweeney said. An increase to $7.50 an hour would give New Jersey the highest minimum wage in the nation. Washington now has the highest minimum wage, at $7.15 an hour, though Oregon's will increase to $7.25 on Jan. 1. [more]