On May 5, 2014, Governor O’Malley signed an important bill, Senate Bill 331, which will raise the minimum wage over the next two years. Starting July 1, 2014 the minimum wage will increase as follows: 1) Starting July 1, 2014 - $8.20 an hour. 2) Starting July 1, 2015 - $9.15 an hour. 3) Starting July 1, 2016 - $10.10 an hour. Beginning July 1, 2017, the minimum wage will continue to increase annually by an amount determined by multiplying the current minimum wage by the annual percentage growth in the consumer price index. Maryland has taken a step in the right direction towards ensuring that everyone has a chance of earning a living wage. Let’s hope other States follow.
