Times Square in Manhattan Photo by Chensiyuan (chensiyuan) via Wikimedia Commons
In a development likely to lift income levels for millions of workers, 19 U.S. states raised the minimum wage Monday as Americans celebrated the start of the New Year 2017.
Economists, workers and businesses view the development from different angles, as the US also prepares to have a new Donald Trump Administration on January 20. But the increases come amid ongoing recovery, sustained growth, job creation and rising investor confidence in the U.S. economy.
The wages would see an immediate increase in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont, and Washington.
While Oregon, Washington, DC, and Maryland would also increase their current rates later this year.
However, the increases in minimum wage vary from state to state and in some cases from county to county.
In the state of New York, for example, the minimum pay will be bumped up to $11 an hour in New York City, $10 in downstate suburbs, and $9.70 in other parts.
According to an ABC News report, small businesses in New York City would increase the wage to $10.50 an hour, ABC News reported.
The federal government has refused to raise the national minimum wage since July 2009, when it was raised from $6.55 to $7.25.
Any raise in the minimum wages has traditionally faced opposition from business owners who see it as retarding profitable growth.
But workers complain that the current wages is too low to afford even basic housing, let alone covering other expenses.
In Washington, the Capitol Hill politics has also been a factor in thwarting an increase the federal minimum wage.
President-elect Donald Trump’s election campaign suggested a number of answers to the question of minimum wage increase including “you need flexibility” to “everything is negotiable.”
At the same time, Trump has also promised to initiate infrastructure projects worth $ one trillion, and expressed the hope that would result in economic upswing.
