State legislation increasing the minimum wage to $8.70 per hour from $8.25 an hour takes effect Wednesday. It's the first of a two-year increase, with another raise to $9 an hour taking effect on Jan. 1, 2015.
The state Department of Labor says between 65,000 and 70,000 workers in Connecticut were paid the minimum wage last year, or about 4 percent of the state's labor force.
Several lawmakers and advocates on Monday said they hope Connecticut will eventually increase the minimum wage further.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, but Connecticut businesses must pay the state minimum wage.
Small business advocates have argued that it will be hard for employers to absorb the increased cost.
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