R.I. Senate passes legislation to raise minimum wage

The Rhode Island Senate Thursday passed both the Senate and House versions of legislation to raise the minimum wage from $6.75 to $7.10 as of March 1, 2006, and to $7.40 on Jan. 1, 2007.

Sponsored by Sen. Daniel Da Ponte, D-East Providence, Providence, Pawtucket, in the Senate, the bill 2006 – S2112 passed on a vote of 36-2. Legislation 2006 – H6718 sponsored by House Speaker Tempore Charlene M. Lima, D-Cranston, in the House passed with a vote of 35-2.

Rhode Island’s minimum wage was last increased from $6.15 to $6.75 in January 2004. It was also increased in 2000.

“This increase in the minimum wage will help those workers who most need to keep up with the continued increase in today’s cost of living,” said Da Ponte, who serves as the Senate Deputy Majority Whip. “I believe that the second increase will get the minimum wage to a level where we can look at tying future increases to the Consumer Price Index so that the working poor can try to keep pace with inflation.”

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According to the Poverty Institute, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Rhode Island has increased by 47 percent since 1998, and the average home price 66 percent, adjusting for inflation. During the same period, the median household income has not kept pace, rising only 11 percent.

Even after the second step of the increase, a minimum wage earner would make only $15,392 annually if he or she worked for 40 hours all 52 weeks.

Lima’s legislation will now be sent to the governor for his consideration. Da Ponte’s bill will be forwarded to the House for consideration.

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