New Jersey Minimum Wage Bill Sent to Gov. Christie

On November 29, 2012, New Jersey’s state Senate passed a bill to raise the minimum wage on March 1 to $8.50, and then adjust it automatically each year based on inflation. The bill passed 23-16 after a lengthy debate on the Senate floor during which Republicans argued against increased labor costs as being detrimental to superstorm Sandy-affected businesses, while Democrats countered that a higher minimum wage is essential for helping lower-income people feed their families.

Governor Christie, who has criticized the bill’s automatic adjustment provision, received the bill on December 3 and now has until January 17 to act. In an effort to avoid the Governor’s likely veto, Democrats took steps to place the minimum-wage bill on the November 2013 ballot as a constitutional amendment.

The proposed increase would result in New Jersey having one of the highest minimum wages, trailing only Oregon ($8.80) and Washington ($9.04). Additionally, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, New Jersey would become the 11th state to have its minimum wage linked to the consumer price index, joining Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. All New Jersey employers should stay tuned.