Governor Sununu Vetoes HB 731, Blocks Raising the Minimum Wage for a Second Time
Contact Name: Sara Persechino
Phone: (603) 271-3479
Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us
CONCORD - Today, Governor Sununu vetoed HB 731 which would have reestablished and raised the minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2021 and $12 per hour in 2023. This follows Governor Sununu’s veto of SB 10 in 2019, which would have raised the minimum wage to $10/hour in 2020 and $12/hour in 2022.
Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) issued the following statement in response:
“While Governor Sununu’s veto of HB 731 does not come as a surprise, it is once again a disappointment. Year after year, New Hampshire falls further behind our neighboring states, all of whom have a minimum wage of at least $10. This disparity continues to drive away the workers we so desperately need.
$7.25 an hour is not a livable wage. A person working full time hours should not fall below the wage threshold to qualify for public assistance -- that is just plain wrong. I remain committed to this work and will continue to fight to reestablish and raise New Hampshire’s minimum wage, in spite of the Governor’s repeated vetoes.”
###