Maryland business leaders testify in support of minimum wage to go to $15 in October
MARYLAND – In Maryland, the question on the table is will minimum wage go up to $15.00 an hour sooner than intended.
Many business owners went to the State House to testify in support of the measure. The Fair Wage Act of 2023 would lift the minimum wage to $15.00 in October. However, the original plan was to gradually lift it to $15.00 by 2025. One business owner, Courtney Sunborn for Ecolistic Cleaning says she supports the bill because she’s been paying more than the minimum for years now.
She says it creates a better cycle for happy workers. “By being able to maintain their employees, and the employees feel not only appreciated by their employer, but also by the clients because the clients are appreciating seeing the same faces over and over again, its a win for everyone,” says Sunborn.
Sunborn says that this allows for better employee retention and less spending on training. If this bill does not get passed, the minimum wage will gradually go up to $15.00 an hour by 2025.
The bill will be heard by the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday. If the same final bill passes both chambers (either without needing a conference committee or after a conference committee) it will go to the Governor’s desk to sign or veto. All of that has to happen by April 10, which is the last day of session.
