SPECIAL EDITION – Friday Facts 

Deeper look at the proposed increase in the mini wage. 

 Big labor issues still pending.  

  • Welcome to a Special Edition of the CRMA’s Friday Facts, our e-newsletter that provides information about all things retail at the State Capitol.
  • If you are not a dues paying member of CRMA we hope you will consider doing so today! 
  • It’s very easy: just go to our website www.crmaonline.com and click the join us or donate now page. 
  • WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TODAY! PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING CRMA – THE VOICE OF RETAIL AT THE STATE CAPITOL! 

Three minimum wage bills reported out of the Labor Committee. 

  • There are three minimum wage bills that we need to keep an eye on. 
  • All three bills increase the wage to $15 
  • Two of those bills – SB 2 AAC Increasing the Minimum Fair Wage (Senate Democrats) and HB 5004 AAC Increasing the Minimum Fair Wage (House Democrats) increase the wage by 2022.
  • Both of those bills raise the minimum wage in stages from $10.10 to $12.00 on January 1, 2020; from $12.00 to $13.50 on January 1, 2021; from $13.50 to $15.00 on January 1, 2022. 
  • The third bill, HB 7191 An Act Increasing the Minimum wage (Governor Lamont’s bill) increase the wage by 2023 and calls for an automatic increase every year thereafter. 
  • Under the Governor’s bill, beginning in 2020 the wage goes from its current level of $10.10 to $11.25; from $11.25 to $12.50 on January 1, 2021; from 12.50 to $13.75 on January 1,2022 and from $13.75 to $15.00 in 2023. 
  • The Governor’s bill would index any future increases to the annual changes in the employment cost index (ECI) beginning January 1, 2024. 

Bills ready for votes. 

  • With all three bills now reported out of the Labor Committee, they are now ready for action in either chamber. 
  • There is still time for legislators to hear from you on this important issue. 
  • If you would like to contact your state senator or state representative to tell them the impact this increase will have on our business, please call us (860-527-1044) or email us (tim@ctretailnetwork.com) TODAY and we will give you the right contact info for you. 

Other big Labor Issues still pending. 

  • CRMA is also working on other big labor issues that will impact retailers. 
  • Still waiting for action are bills implementing a paid family medical leave program (SB 1, SB 881, HB 5003), on call shift scheduling (SB 764, HB 6924) and others. 
  • Look for another special FF look at these issues next week.