Minimum Wage Hikes in 18 States Set for New Year

The lowest wage workers in 18 states got a boost in their paychecks starting New Year's Day, The Hill reports, with minimum wage hikes taking effect. Many of the increases are phased-in steps toward an ultimately higher wage, the product of ballot initiatives supported by workers rights groups and unions over the past several years. The minimum wage in Washington state, for instance, will rise from $11 an hour to $11.50 — the highest statewide minimum in the country. Over the next three years, the wage will rise to $13.50 an hour because of a ballot measure approved by voters in 2016. Maine's minimum wages is increasing the most, from $9 an hour to $10. Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont are seeing their minimum wages rise by at least 50 cents an hour. Smaller increases take effect in Alaska, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, and South Dakota.