Governor Hogan vetoes minimum wage legislation

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – On Wednesday, Governor Larry Hogan vetoed two bills that he says would have cost the state jobs, impacted economic competitiveness in a negative way, and hurt the state’s economy.

Hogan vetoed Senate Bill 280 and House Bill 166, which would have increased the state’s minimum wage to $15 per house by the year 2025.

In Hogan’s veto letter, he pointed out that the measure would cost Maryland more than 99,000 jobs, and that it would hurt Maryland’s competitiveness and push small businesses out of the state. He also mentioned that legislators ignored his reasonable compromise proposal regarding the state’s minimum wage.

However, the general assembly could override the governor’s veto if they choose to do so.

If passed, the minimum wage would gradually be raised over the course of the next couple of years, up until the year 2025. Companies with less than 15 employees, however, would have until July 2026 to reach the $15 per hour mark.