Minimum Wage To Increase Despite Sen. Sinema’s Cutesy Curtsey Thumbs Down Vote

Arizona’s minimum wage is set to increase from $12.15 an hour to $12.80 an hour on Jan. 1 under a citizens initiative approved by the state’s voters in 2016. Arizona Minimum Wage Going up to $12.80 an Hour on Jan. 1.

The measure was opposed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, Republicans in the Arizona Legislature, and [was opposed in court] by business groups like the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry [and its affiliated chamber organizations].

Never forget that every elected Republican in Arizona opposed the minimum wage increase favored by Arizona voters.

Voters approved Proposition 208 by a 58% to 41% vote in November 2016. Wages went to $10 an hour the following year and have increased every year since. The measure also guaranteed paid sick leave, [and allowed local governments to set a higher minimum wage].

Voters in Flagstaff raised that city’s minimum wage in 2016 as well. It now sits at $15 an hour and will go to $15.50 an hour in January. Tucson voters approved their own minimum wage increase last month. Wages there will rise to $13 an hour in April and will hit $15 per hour in 2025.

The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 an hour because Republicans in Washington won’t back an increase. Also because Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema earlier this year gave a cutesy curtsey thumbs down vote to the Democrat’s minimum wage bill, killing it in the Senate. Never forget who was responsible.

Despite Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s cutesy curtsey thumbs down vote, the minimum wage is set to increase for millions of Americans in cities and states across the country. Axios reports, Record number of minimum wage increases set for 2022:

A record number of states and cities will increase their minimum wage rates in 2022, with many exceeding $15, according to a new report.

Driving the news: The National Employment Law Project found that 25 states and 56 municipalities will raise their minimum wages by the end of 2022. In many areas, the wage floor will meet or exceed $15 per hour.

• • • Demands for a higher minimum wage increased with the COVID-19 pandemic: “Low pay, a lack of job security, and poor working conditions are endemic to service and other frontline jobs, with disproportionate effects on Black women, Latinas, and Asian Americans of any gender,” NELP writes.

• • • November 2022 will mark the 10-year anniversary of Fight for $15, the campaign led by workers of color demanding a $15 minimum wage and a union.

By the numbers: 21 states and 35 cities and counties will increase their minimum wage on Saturday with the rest following suit later in the year.

• • • 47 cities and counties will have wages that meet or exceed $15 per hour by the end of 2022. This includes D.C. and 11 California localities where a $15 minimum wage has been met and further wage increases to account for inflation are expected.

There are 10 states with laws in place looking to reach a minimum wage of $15 or more by a specific amount of time, including California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and Rhode Island.

• • • The 10th state, New York, has a law that says minimum wage will increase until it reaches $15. Already in New York City and Westchester County and for all fast food employees statewide, minimum wages are at $15 per hour.

• • • In California, the minimum wage will be $14 for small employers and $15 for large employers, increasing from $13 and $14, respectively.

What they’re saying: “Underpaid workers, especially Black and brown workers, have been mobilizing to demand higher wages, safer workplace conditions, and dignified jobs — and they’re succeeding,” said NELP executive director Rebecca Dixon.

Don’t forget: 20 [Red] states have not raised their minimum wages above the federal pay level, which has remained at $7.25 per hour since 2009.