2017 minimum wage increase in Delaware?

Pay increases are on the horizon for workers in Delaware, and it appears more money may be on the way in 2017.

Delaware’s minimum wage will go up from $7.75 to $8.25 this June under legislation passed and signed by Governor Jack Markell last year.

However, a new proposal from the Low Wage Service Industry Task Force hopes to increase the minimum wage to $10.25 by 2017 and up to $2.23 for tipped workers.

Despite concerns from small business owners, who worry they can’t afford to pay their employees, one restaurant manager tells us she’s confident it will all work out.

Selime Arslan, the Laurel Dutch Inn manager says, “Definitely no employees would be cut back. We would actually be increasing employees, since consumer spending would be increasing then we would definitely need to satisfy our customers.”

If 2017 increase is approved, the wage would be indexed annually to the consumer price index to adjust for inflation. The ultimate goal is for Delaware to move $15 for minimum wage.