Raimondo Marks Minimum Wage Increase

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Governor Gina M. Raimondo today marked the increase of Rhode
Island’s minimum hourly wage from $9.00 to $9.60. In addition, the minimum rate
paid to tipped workers increased from $2.89 to $3.39.
«When I was sworn into office, it was clear that we needed to make work pay,» Raimondo
said. «Many Rhode Islanders work full-time jobs and still struggle to make ends
meet. This is unacceptable. Anyone who works full time should not have to raise
their children in poverty. This increase will put more spending money in the pockets
of families, who will in turn use those higher earnings at local businesses to help
boost our economy.
«But we can do more,» Raimondo continued. «As I have always said, the minimum wage
alone is not enough to lift a family out of poverty. In the New Year, we must continue
working to build, attract and innovate our state’s economy so that everyone can
make it in Rhode Island. That means training people to gain more skills, creating
more jobs and boosting incomes. Together, we will move our state forward.»
The increases will benefit more than 40,000 Rhode Islanders. The Governor signed
legislation to make work pay in 2015, after the initiative was approved by the state General Assembly.