Senator Soucy Introduces SB 10 in House Committee Bill Would Re-establish and Raise New Hampshire’s
April 24, 2019
Contact Name: Sara Persechino
Phone: (603) 271-3479
Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee held a hearing on SB 10, establishing the state minimum hourly rate based on whether an employer offers paid sick days to an employee.
Prime sponsor Senator Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) released the following statement after the hearing:
“When it comes to ensuring decent wages for our workers, New Hampshire is far from first—we haven’t raised our minimum wage in more than a decade, and in 2011, we eliminated it altogether. $7.25 wasn’t a living wage in 2009 and it certainly isn’t a living wage in 2019. Regardless of political party, we should all agree New Hampshire is better equipped to make economic decisions that impact our workers and businesses than politicians in Washington, D.C.
Right now, New Hampshire is an island—our minimum wage is at least $3 below neighboring states and the lowest in all of New England. It’s tough for our businesses to attract and retain good workers when they can simply drive across state lines for higher wages. New Hampshire values work; we should do all we can to make sure people working full time earn enough to support themselves and their families. Increasing the minimum wage is a critical step forward we can take to support our working families and continue growing our economy.”
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