Bill hikes state minimum wage

Legislation introduced in the state House on Tuesday would nearly double Georgia’s minimum wage to $10.10 per hour.

House Bill 272, sponsored by Rep. Rahn Mayo, D-Decatur, would increase the current $5.15 per hour rate, and provided for cost of living increases each year. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.

The bill, sponsored by four Democrats, faces a difficult path in a Republican-dominated General Assembly. But, lawmakers and voters in many other states have recently agreed to increase the minimum wage.

Voters in Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota approved minimum wage increases at the polls in 2014, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Lawmakers in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Washington, D.C., enacted increases in 2014.

About the Author

Aaron Gould Sheinin

Georgia women face geographic gaps in prenatal care

Fewer than half of Georgia's counties have a full-time OB-GYN, according to data analyzed by the AJC, and many women lack the time and money to make regular prenatal visits.

1h ago

Georgia state senator pushes for arrest of House lawyer

The House speaker’s general counsel Keith Williams blocked state Sen. Colton Moore from entering the chamber during a joint session, grabbing and pushing him to the ground.

1h ago

EXCLUSIVE

Senate poll: Ossoff riding high in Georgia; MAGA firebrand leads GOP field

AJC poll on U.S. Senate race in Georgia shows likely Democratic voters give Jon Ossoff high marks; U.S. Rep. Mike Collins leads Republicans, over Gov. Brian Kemp's pick.

2h ago

The Latest