Proposed bill would raise minimum wage to $8

The Rhode Island minimum wage rose to $7.40 on Jan.1, but it may increase again if the General Assembly approves legislation recently proposed by House Speaker Tempore Charlene Lima, D-Dist. 14.

The bill would raise the minimum wage to $7.75 next January and again to $8.00 on Jan. 1, 2009. As of Jan. 1, 2010, the Department of Labor and Training would be required by the bill to increase the minimum wage at the rate of inflation annually.

According to a press release, Lima said she intends to couple this minimum-wage increase with policy initiatives designed to bring more high-paying jobs to the state.