Delaware News Journal
Delaware lawmakers introduced a bill late Tuesday to gradually raise the state s minimum wage to $15 an hour, heeding the growing call for the pay increase that neighboring states have already implemented.
But the COVID-19 pandemic has only bolstered opposition from Delaware s business-friendly community, which has prevailed in stopping such an increase in the past.
Democrats have tried and failed for several years to move the state toward a $15 minimum wage. And like last session s unsuccessful bill, this bill filed on Tuesday would gradually raise the minimum wage from its current rate of $9.25 to $15 by 2025.
Advocates said much has changed since last year, and not just because of the virus.
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The Delaware State House in Dover. (Tom Byrne/Delaware Public Media)
A coalition of business groups and politicians spoke Monday during a virtual event in favor of a $15 minimum wage in Delaware.
Legislation introduced by Sen. Jack Walsh would gradually increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025.
Delaware is one of 30 states that sets its own minimum wage above the federal standard. The wage increased from $8.25 in 2015 to $9.25 in 2020. However, many efforts to increase the state’s minimum wage over the years have struggled.
“Someone who puts in a hard day’s work deserves to earn enough to keep a roof over their head and food on the table. Frankly, they deserve what previous generations of low-wage earners have had a living wage,” Walsh said during the event.