Governor

Minimum Wage to Increase to $12 Starting Jan. 1 in Massachusetts

The minimum wage increase was part of a bill that called for paid leave and an annual sales tax holiday

Starting New Year's Day, minimum wage workers in Massachusetts will have their paid hourly rate increase from $11 to $12, the first of five annual raises until it increases to $15 in 2023.

The minimum wage increase is part of a bill that also calls for an annual August sales tax holiday and paid leave for workers. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed the bill into legislation during the summer.

"I think the legislature and the proponents of each of these ballot questions deserve enormous credit for finding their way to a common conclusion here," Baker said.

Sub-minimum wage for tipped workers will increase from $3.75 to $4.35 per hour beginning on Jan. 1. By 2023, their hourly rate will start at $6.75.

The increased starting pay rate will raise the wages of 662,000 workers in the state, according to the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. That amounts to a total wage increase of $817.5 million for 2019, according to the center.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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