ELIZABETH, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey has joined the growing number of states that have approved a new $15 an hour minimum wage law.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed the legislation at the headquarters of Make The Road New Jersey, an advocacy group for immigrants and working-class people. Workers and Democratic lawmakers packed the house elbow-to-elbow to watch the bill become law.
"We've talked long enough about putting New Jersey on a responsible path to $15 an hour minimum wage," said Murphy. "Today, we start our way on this path."
For far too long, too many of our fellow New Jerseyans have struggled to survive on wages that have not kept up with the cost of living. Join me live in Newark as we sign landmark legislation raising the minimum wage to $15/hour.https://t.co/sjeT62Y76d
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 4, 2019Currently, the minimum wage in the Garden State is $8.85 an hour. In July, it will increase to $10 an hour. Then gradually, it will go up each January by a dollar until 2024.
The governor said this year alone, it will put $1,200 more into the wallets of low-income workers.
The New Jersey Business and Industry Association immediately issued a statement claiming the plan will result in a 35 percent increase in costs to small businesses. It called the law disappointing and is hoping for what it calls "corrective measures" in the future.
