Minimum wage workers and their advocates scored huge victories Tuesday at the ballot box, with voters pushing through wage increases in three states, reported Market Watch.
Arkansas voters OK’d a minimum wage increase from $6.25 to $8.50 by 2017; Nebraska’s minimum wage will increase from $7.25 to $8 by 2016 and Illinois will raise its minimum wage to $10 per hour.
Two other states also had minimum wage increases on the ballot. South Dakota voters were considering a minimum wage increase to $8.50 per hour and Alaska voters were considering an increase to $10 per hour.
President Obama has been calling for an increase in the federal minimum wage — currently $7.25 per hour — but has not be able to secure congressional support. However, he passed an executive order earlier this year increasing the minimum wage for federal government contractors to $10.10 per hour.
• Jennifer Pompi can be reached at jpompi@washingtontimes.com.
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