FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

News

Millions of American workers just got a raise

Nineteen states increased their minimum wage on Jan. 1, thanks to a combination of recent ballot measures and phased increases from previous hikes.

This year’s increases are expected to affect about 4.4 million low-wage workers across the country, while 19 states still adhere to the federal minimum wage, which has been stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009.

Raising the minimum wage is generally an issue championed by the Left, but this year’s pay raises aren’t limited to blue states. The largest jump in wage is happening in deeply conservative Arizona, from $8.05 to $10 per hour, a 24 percent increase.

While voting overwhelmingly to put Republican Donald Trump in the White House, Arizona voters also passed a measure in November to increase the wage to $12 by 2020.