Bill for minimum wage increases passed by Virginia House of Delegates
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — The House of Delegates has passed a bill that would bring increases in Virginia’s minimum wage, up to $15 an hour starting in 2026.
HB1, introduced by Hampton Del. Jeion A. Ward, passed in a 51-49 party line vote, with Democrats voting in favor.
The bill will first increase the current minimum wage of $12 per hour up to $13.50 per hour starting on Jan. 1, 2025. The minimum wage will then go up to $15 per hour the next year.
Ward said before the vote that it was about leaving a legacy of standing up for the less fortunate.
“No one who works a full-time job should struggle to make ends meet, but wages have not kept up with inflation,” said Virginia AFL-CIO President Doris Crouse-Mays in reponse. “We commend the House of Delegates for standing with workers and passing our union sister Delegate Ward’s legislation. The governor has said he wants to address the cost of living, so he can start by signing this bill and giving Virginia’s minimum wage workers a raise.”
“I just proudly cast my vote along with my House Democratic colleagues to pass the bill to increase Virginia’s minimum wage and keep us on the path to $15/hr in order to support working families all across the Commonwealth,” added Delegate Adele McClure from Arlington in a tweet after voting yes.
State Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) has introduced that chamber’s version, SB1, which passed out of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor and was referred to Finance and Appropriations.
Democrats have a 21-19 majority in the Senate.
Meanwhile Gov. Glenn Youngkin has signaled he’s opposed to increases in the minimum wage, telling the Virginia Mercury “the market is working.” Lucas in response said “he will quickly find the cooperative tone from Democrats changing very quickly” if he moves to veto the bill.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
