Senate Passes Quezada Legislation That Would Gradually Increase Minimum Wage to $15 by 2025
STATE HOUSE — The Senate today passed legislation introduced by Sen. Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence) that would increase Rhode Island’s minimum wage from $11.50 to $15 over a four-year period.
The bill (2021-S 0001aa) would increase the minimum wage to $12.25 on Jan. 1, 2022; raise it to $13 on Jan. 1, 2023; raise it to $14 on Jan. 1, 2024; and finally to $15 on Jan. 1, 2025.
“This legislation will go a long way toward breaking the cycle of poverty that has ensnared so many of Rhode Island’s families,” said Senator Quezada. “A living wage will not only help people who work full time from living in poverty, it will also ease the demand on public assistance and bolster the state’s economy by ensuring that families have the income required to meet their basic needs.”
The minimum wage in Rhode Island has been $11.50 since Oct. 1, 2020. In Massachusetts, the minimum wage is currently $13.50, but is scheduled to rise to $15 by Jan. 1, 2023.
The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, where similar legislation (2021-H 5130) has been introduced by Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston).
