States with minimum wage increases effective January 1, 2018 (revised)
| State | Share of workforce directly benefiting | Type of increase | New minimum wage as of Jan. 1, 2018 | Amount of increase | Total workers directly benefiting | Total increase in annual wages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 4.1% | Inflation adjustment | $9.84 | $0.04 | 12,000 | $847,000 |
| Arizona | 16.4% | Legislation | $10.50 | $0.50 | 448,000 | $389,517,000 |
| California | 13.1% | Legislation | $11.00 | $0.50 | 2,095,000 | $2,686,724,000 |
| Colorado | 6.8% | Legislation | $10.20 | $0.90 | 167,000 | $250,296,000 |
| Florida | 2.2% | Inflation adjustment | $8.25 | $0.15 | 185,000 | $47,450,000 |
| Hawaii | 8.6% | Legislation | $10.10 | $0.85 | 51,000 | $68,503,000 |
| Maine | 10.4% | Legislation | $10.00 | $1.00 | 59,000 | $79,577,000 |
| New Jersey | 2.3% | Inflation adjustment | $8.60 | $0.16 | 91,000 | $21,519,000 |
| Michigan | 6.1% | Legislation | $9.25 | $0.35 | 257,000 | $219,846,000 |
| Minnesota | 5.0% | Inflation adjustment | $9.65 | $0.15 | 129,000 | $24,632,000 |
| Missouri | 1.6% | Inflation adjustment | $7.85 | $0.15 | 44,000 | $8,999,000 |
| Montana | 1.9% | Inflation adjustment | $8.30 | $0.15 | 8,000 | $1,863,000 |
| New York* | 4.5% | Legislation | $10.40 | $0.70 | 379,000 | $425,415,000 |
| Ohio | 2.9% | Inflation adjustment | $8.30 | $0.15 | 146,000 | $28,925,000 |
| Rhode Island | 6.2% | Legislation | $10.10 | $0.50 | 30,000 | $44,335,000 |
| South Dakota | 2.7% | Inflation adjustment | $8.85 | $0.20 | 10,000 | $2,391,000 |
| Vermont | 10.6% | Legislation | $10.50 | $0.50 | 31,000 | $34,694,000 |
| Washington | 12.0% | Legislation | $11.50 | $0.50 | 370,000 | $411,282,000 |
| Total | 4,512,000 | $4,746,815,000 |
Note: "Legislation" indicates that the new rate was established by the legislature or through a ballot measure. "Inflation adjustment" indicates that the new rate was established by a formula, reflecting the change in prices over the preceding year. Directly affected workers will see their wages rise because the new minimum wage rate exceeds their current hourly pay. This does not include additional workers who may receive a wage increase through "spillover" effects, as employers adjust overall pay scales. *The New York estimates only reflect the change in the minimum wage in upstate New York. New York City and its surrounding counties had separate minimum wage increases that are not captured in this estimate. New York's minimum wage increase took effect on December 31, 2017. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
Source: EPI analysis of Current Population Survey microdata 2016
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The chart above, from the Economic Policy Institute, shows the states that raised their minimum wage as of the first of 2018. I applaud those states for doing that, but I must point out that most of those heightened wages are still not a livable wage, and many more states cling to the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour (which is a poverty wage for either a single person or someone trying to support a family).
Trump and the Republican Congress said they recognized that American workers need help, including an increase in wages. But their solution was blatantly ridiculous -- a massive tax cut for the rich and corporations (both of whom are enjoying record incomes and profits, while worker wages have remained stagnant for decades). They claim that giving more to the rich and corporations will trickle down and benefit all Americans -- a silly idea that has never worked (even though they have been trying it for decades).
If they really wanted to boost the economy, create jobs, and increase wages for workers, there was a much better solution available -- just increase the minimum wage to be a livable wage ($12-$15 an hour). This would result in greater demand because the workers receiving more would spend it (and that would create jobs to meet the new demand and increase profits of businesses meeting that new demand). It would also create an upward pressure on all worker wages. In short, it would be good for the economy and everyone in the country.
Unfortunately, the Republicans controlling our government are too-shortsighted to see that. They are only concerned with next months bottom line for corporations, and the corporate money they will receive for their campaigns by doing that. It is why they must be voted out of power in 2018 -- so we can finally return to a fairer economic policy (which would include a higher minimum wage).
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