Minimum wage could be going up earlier than expected

Gov. Wes Moore's bill that would increase the Maryland minimum wage to $15 dollars an hour two years early, is slowly advancing through the general assembly. Supporters contend The Fair Wage Act of 2023 (Senate Bill 555\House Bill 549) will help around 150,000 people. But some businesses complain raising the minimum wage two years earlier than planned gives them less time to prepare. They said they are grateful, however, that lawmakers stripped out a provision that allows for automatic increases. According to the Fight for 15 Coalition, the bill is going to have a huge positive impact on people's lives and on the state economy.