Latest news with #HouseBill353
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC minimum wage bill faces difficulty becoming law without GOP support
NORTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A group of North Carolina Democrats want to increase the state's minimum wage from $7.25 to $18 within five years. A bill filed Monday would increase the minimum wage in increments through 2030. Rising costs were on the mind of people walking through Charlotte's South End neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon. Those that spoke with Queen City News seemed in favor of the proposal. PREVIOUS | 'I definitely think it needs to be higher; again, that's over the course of years though, you can't just raise it immediately and make everyone happy but I think it, with how the world is going right now, a little bit higher,' said Baylee Blankenbaker. House Bill 353 would start with a bump to $10 in 2026, then increase annually by two dollars until it reaches $18. The bill also allows for state officials to continue increasing the minimum wage depending on the cost of living. 'It's equity and fairness for workers. I mean, we have one of the lowest minimum wages in the country,' said State Rep Marcia Morey. Morey, who represents Durham County, is the bill's author. With only Democratic support, Morey acknowledged she will need Republicans to sign on for the bill to have a chance at becoming law, 'Oh, I'm sure they're thrilled with it…we will do our best to show this is what their constituents need, as much as ours, it shouldn't be a partisan issue.' The North Carolina Chamber told Queen City News they oppose the proposal through a provided statement. 'Due to the intense competition for talent in our state, most NC Chamber members do not pay minimum wage. However, the NC Chamber opposes burdensome mandates on North Carolina employers that restrict their ability to predictably manage their operations. We believe the best way to ensure North Carolina remains a leading state to live, work, and raise a family is not by imposing mandates on employers, but by better aligning our talent development systems with the needs of our modern workforce to connect more North Carolinians with high-paying jobs.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill to raise North Carolina minimum wage filed by House Democrats
RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP) — A new bill filed in the North Carolina House of Representatives seeks to raise the minimum wage across the state. State Representatives Allison Dahl (D-District 11), Aisha Dew (D-District 111), Bryan Cohn (D-District 32) and Marcia Morey (D-District 30) filed House Bill 353 on Monday, entitled the 'Fair Minimum Wage Act.' The bill seeks to raise the minimum wage across the state to $10 per hour for an hourly wage employee in North Carolina effective Jan. 1, 2026. Every year after that, the minimum wage would raise an additional $2 per hour. D.H. Griffin cited by labor department after employee killed by train in Greensboro 'Beginning September 30, 2030, and on each September 30 thereafter, the Commissioner of Labor shall calculate an adjusted minimum wage rate indexed to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (All 29 Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average for All Items), CPI-I, or its successor index, as calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor for the 12-month period preceding the previous September 1,' the bill reads. 'Each adjusted minimum wage rate calculated shall be published on September 30 and take effect on the following January 1.' The bill also addresses wage theft and penalties for employers who do not pay their employees the minimum wage. 'Any employer who violates the provisions of G.S. 95-25.13 or any rule adopted under that section shall be liable to the employee or employees affected in the amount of their actual damages, including, but not limited to, lost wages and benefits plus interest and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs,' the bill states. North Carolina's current minimum wage is the same as the federal minimum wage, $7.25 an hour, though tipped employees can make less than the minimum wage. Read the full text of the bill here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC House bill aims to raise state minimum wage starting in 2026; here's how much
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A House bill filed this week looks to raise the state's minimum wage to $10.00 per hour in 2026, and then increase every year following that for at least four years. Right now, the state's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. House Bill 353 would make it $10.00 an hour effective January 1, 2026. If signed into law, the bill would also raise $2.00 per hour every year until at least 2030, making minimum wage $18.00 an hour on January 1, 2030. After that, the amount would be determined annually by the Commissioner of Labor. The bill, called the Fair Minimum Wage Act, was sponsored by Democratic Representative Marcia Morey. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C. has the highest minimum wage in the country at $17.50. NC is among several states with the same minimum wage as Federal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
