State Minimum Wage Rises On New Year's Day

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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.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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