minimum wage

Connecticut's job growth has stalled amid high costs of living, despite rising demand and a minimum wage increase to $16.35. A living wage remains nearly $25 an hour.

Despite increases in the minimum wage in Connecticut, many families still struggle to afford basic necessities. Over one-third of households in the state cannot afford essentials, including housing, utilities, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare and taxes, according to a report released by the Connecticut United Way.

When Connecticut’s minimum wage rose on Jan. 1 from $15 an hour to $15.69, it was good news for many workers. But for small business owners across the state, the increase has far-reaching implications and created concerns.

Connecticut became the state with the highest minimum wage in New England in January. Connecticut now boasts the fourth-highest minimum wage in the United States behind California, Washington and Washington, D.C.

Connecticut’s minimum wage will increase to $15.69 an hour in less than a month, but not for tipped workers who can still legally be paid less than $7 an hour.

The state’s minimum wage will be adjusted every year based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s employment cost index.

Minimum wage has gone up one dollar every year since 2019. The goal was to put more money in the hands of Connecticut residents without hurting businesses.

A proposal to raise the minimum wage in New York state and tie future increases to inflation has gained the favor of Governor Kathy Hochul, who included the idea Tuesday in her annual State of the State address.

As Pride month comes to a close, Hochul signs new laws to support transgender and non-binary New Yorkers. Connecticut also has new laws on the books to raise the minimum wage and more — including expanding who can perform abortions. While they aren’t on that list, more faith leaders decry the Roe v. Wade reversal, saying they support reproductive justice.

Connecticut's Department of Labor said that as many as 200,000 low-wage workers will be affected by the increase of minimum wage to $13 per hour this…