Patrick plans to broker minimum wage debate
Gov. Deval Patrick, who staked out $1.9 billion as the amount of revenue needed at the start of last year’s tax debate, said he will try to broker an agreement on a minimum-wage increase rather than align with one of the proposals.
The Senate passed a bill to raise the minimum wage to $11 per hour by 2016 and House Speaker Robert DeLeo said the House would entertain a bill setting the minimum wage at $10.50.
The Senate also wants to tie the wage floor to inflation, an idea DeLeo did not recommend this week.
During Patrick’s regular appearance on Boston Public Radio on Thursday, co-host Jim Braude asked if he would favor the higher minimum wage increase.
“I’m going to do what I can to help them get to yes,” Patrick said. “I have on purpose, Jim, stayed away from embracing one number because I think it’s easier to help broker.”
Patrick also said there is not much difference between $11 and $10.50. Activists are advancing a ballot question that would also set the wage at $10.50, up from the current $8. Patrick said he’s also excited about the prospect of unemployment insurance reforms, which business leaders have said will help employers save money. “This is a really positive step forward on both of these fronts,” Patrick said.
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