HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut's Democratic-controlled House ofRepresentatives has voted to incrementally increase the state's minimum wage to$15 an hour by 2023, following a marathon, overnight debate. Weary lawmakers advanced the bill to the Senate, 85-59, with one Democratjoining Republicans in opposition, shortly after noon on Thursday. The debatebegan around 10 p.m. on Wednesday. The occasionally contentious debate was wrapped by New Haven Rep. Robyn Porter,the Democratic House chairwoman of the General Assembly's Labor Committee.Referencing her own early struggles as a divorced mother of two, Porter says thewage increase will help those who ``don't' have two nickels to rub together''and feel like $10 is $100. But Republicans warned the wage increase will harm an already fragile stateeconomy and lead to job reductions and more automation.
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