The Prince George's County executive signed a law that aims will increase the minimum wage in the county to $11.50 by 2017, CNN reported Tuesday.
According to multiple sources, more workers at Prince George's County will enjoy the boost in their pay, and the same goes to its neighboring Montgomery County, which also signed into law the same $11.50 minimum wage.
Consequently, the law is now heading to Washington DC after reports circulated that Mayo Vincent Gray is to approve the measure after the district council voted in favor of the increase.
Councilmember Andrea Harrison said that the two Maryland counties' coordinated effort was meant to "eliminate the competitive disadvantage" if one of the two acted while the other did not.
As of late the minimum wage in the two Maryland counties is at the federal minimum of $7.25, according to CNN. However, the figure is expected to gradually rise over the next four years.
By this October, Prince George is to increase its minimum to $9.55.
However, the increase in the minimum wage is not only receiving positive feedback as other analysts claim that this might introduce more problems to the said counties.
"People [are] worried that an increase in the minimum wage would damage Maryland's position in the regional economy," Matthew Crenson, professor emeritus of political science at Johns Hopkins University said. Multiple sources reported that it is very likely that the increase in wages will lead to job losses.
"Clearly there's a need for an increase, but what is the level to which businesses can still create jobs even while paying a higher wage," President and CEO of the County Chambe r of Commerce David Harrington said.
Nevertheless, Crenson also said that "it's very likely that some legislation will pass this session."
President Obama called on Congress earlier this month to pass a minimum wage increase since the current federal level of $7.25 was implemented way back in 2009.
No official list of counties and states that are planning to support and implement this law is available as of late.
What do you think of the $11.50 minimum wage? Sound off in the comments section below.
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