The minimum wage has increased in 18 states in the New Year. Many of the wage increases are the latest in phased-in raises, and are set to go even higher in coming years. The jumps are the result of ballot initiatives the country over advocated for by unions and other workers’ rights groups.
States such as Arizona, California, Hawaii, New York, Rhode Island, Florida, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey and Ohio all saw minimum wage increases go into effect at the stroke of midnight. The minimum wage in Washington state rose 50 cents to $11.50/hr, the highest in the nation. It will eventually rise to $13.50/hr by 2021 in accordance with a ballot initiative passed there in 2016.