A bill to raise Maryland's minimum wage to $10 an hour died in the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. It was defeated in an 8-3 vote with several senators explaining that they opposed the legislation in spite of their sympathy for low-wage workers because the timing was not right for a wage increase. [...more]
An initiative to raise minimum wage to $10 an hour in two years promises to be among the most controversial economic issues debated at the Maryland General Assembly this year. Sponsored by Sen. Rob Garagiola, D-Montgomery, and Del. Aisha Braveboy, D-Prince George’s, the initiative would reshape the state’s job market for low income workers. [...more]
An overwhelming 82% of Maryland voters support a proposal to force all employers to provide paid sick days based upon the number of hours worked, according to a poll done for the Jobs Opportunities Task Force. This poll comes in advance of hearings Wednesday on several pieces of legislation that seek to expand worker’s rights and increase employers’ obligations [...more]
A proposal to increase Maryland’s minimum wage was both applauded and condemned in front of the Senate Finance Committee by economists, business owners, lobbyists and employees on Thursday. [...more]
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. [...more]
Progressive groups and legislators are aiming to raise state taxes on millionaires, corporations, liquor, gasoline and a broad array of consumer services, as well as boosting the state minimum wage to $10 an hour to help protect government services and the incomes of “working families.” The proposals came in the annual “State of Working Maryland” report from the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute and the Progressive Maryland coalition of liberal groups. [...more]
