Delaware lawmakers once again looking at raising minimum wage

State lawmakers are once again looking at raising Delaware's minimum wage.

Back in March, a bill hiking the wage by a dollar over two years was narrowly defeated in the Senate.

The previous failed legislation would have increased the current minimum wage of $8.25 an hour to $8.75 an hour on October 1st, and by another 50 cents next year to $9.25 an hour, effective October 1st, 2019.

This new bill, known as Senate Bill 170, calls for a minimum wage of no less than $10.25 per hour over a four year staging period.

On Wednesday, the State Senate Labor Committee conducted a public hearing on a variety of bills, including Senate Bill 170.

We spoke to the bill's sponsor, Senator Robert Marshall (D) today, who says he wants to recognize those who work several minimum wage jobs who may be minorities or single mothers.

He says without these people, Delaware's economy would crumble, so it is important that we give back to them.

Senator Marshall said, "So they are important, they have a lot of value in Delaware and this bill would recognize their importance in our economy."

We are told the committee will likely sign out the bill and it should be on the ready list of the senate by tomorrow.