McKee Signs Legislation Raising the Min Wage in RI to $15 Over 4 Years, Far Short of a Livable Wage

McKee Signs Legislation Raising the Min Wage in RI to $15 Over 4 Years, Far Short of a Livable Wage

Governor Dan McKee Thursday signed into law legislation (2021-H 5130A, 2021-S 0001aa) which raises the minimum wage in Rhode Island from $11.50 to $15 over the next four years.  “Raising the minimum wage will benefit thousands of working Rhode Islanders and families across our state,” said McKee. Massachusetts' minimum wage is already $13.50 -- RI will not teach that level for two years.

McKee was joined by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, Representative David A. Bennett and Senator Ana B. Quezada,

 The bill will increase the minimum wage from $11.50 to: 

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$12.25 on January 1, 2022;

$13 on January 1, 2023;

$14 on January 1, 2024 and

 $15 on January 1, 2025.

In contrast, Bank of America announced this week that it has set its own minimum wage of $25 per hour for employees effective immediately. And, President Joe Biden announced that the minimum wage for all federal contractors is $15.

“At last, Rhode Island is on the path toward breaking the cycle of poverty for those at the bottom of the wage spectrum. Minimum wage has not kept pace with inflation over the decades, and our neighboring states have already taken this step toward making it closer to a living wage,” said Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston), House bill sponsor.

The Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training estimates that the new law will raise wages for approximately 70,000 workers by 2022 and approximately 140,000 workers by 2025.