Vermont Raises Minimum Wage to $10.50

Posted on May 13, 2014

Vermont has raised the minimum wage to $10.50. It was previously $8.73. CNN/Money reports that the minimum wage in the state will be increased in phases through 2018.

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin has already indicated he will sign the bill. He said in a statement, "We're raising the minimum wage higher in each of the next four years, joining a growing number of states nationwide that are moving on their own in the face of congressional inaction." He also tweeted:

I will be proud to sign the minimum wage bill that passed tonight. Time to #RaiseTheWage in #VT #vtpoli
� Peter Shumlin (@GovPeterShumlin) May 10, 2014

Think Progress reports that the $10.50 will make Vermont the highest minimum wage state in the country. This is the highest for a state, but some cities in other states, like Seattle, are going higher. Seattle will be raising its minimum wage to $15 an hour over a 3 to 5 year phase in plan that depends on company size. President Obama has been calling for a minimum wage increase to $10.10. Mitt Romney recently announced he supports the minimum wage hike, a move Senate Republicans did not like.