Day: February 8, 2011

State Roundup, February 8, 2011

Gay marriage supporters say civil unions not an option; Sun editorial board backs banning gifts to doctors; “dime a drink” advocates descend on Annapolis; slots revenue for January hits $11 million; Bay oysters seem healthier; Pepco faces wrath of county councils; and Baltimore mayor offers up State of the City.

Bill would increase minimum wage to $10 in three years

Minimum wage would increase to nearly $10 an hour through a bill that Majority Leader Robert Garagiola planned to introduce in the Senate on Monday.

The bill, which had 15 co-sponsors by Monday afternoon, would incrementally increase minimum wage from its current $7.25 up to close to $10 by 2013, a 35% increase over three years. It also would boost pay for employees who earn tips from half to 70% of minimum wage, and would add overtime and inflation provisions for other employees.

Number of Marylanders without health insurance remained stable, report says

Despite the deep recession and high unemployment, the number of Marylanders without health insurance under the age of 65 remained relatively stable from 2004 to 2009, according to a new report that surprised health officials.

From 2008 to 2009, 14.5% of residents younger than 65 — about 720,000 people — were uninsured, according to “Health Insurance Coverage in Maryland through 2009,” released by the Maryland Health Care Commission last month. About 10,000 more who are older than 65 don’t have insurance.

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