To: The New Jersey State House, The New Jersey State Senate, and Governor Phil Murphy
Raise the minimum wage in New Jersey
The minimum wage in New Jersey has failed to keep up with the rising cost of living in the state. It’s time to raise the wage to at least $8.50 and tie it to inflation.
Why is this important?
A recent study gives New Jersey the dubious distinction of ranking 11th in the country for income inequality, and a big part of the problem is that the state’s minimum wage is just too low. Right now the state wage is $7.25 an hour, or around $15,000 per year. If the minimum wage had been keeping pace with inflation, it would be well over $9 by now. Even raising the wage to $8.50 would bring in $439 million in wages to working families -- and give the state's lagging economy a much needed jolt.
The legislature is considering proposals that would raise the minimum wage and tie it to inflation. Tell them that now's the time to give New Jersey a raise!
The legislature is considering proposals that would raise the minimum wage and tie it to inflation. Tell them that now's the time to give New Jersey a raise!