By Lisa Jennings
Restaurant Business, Dec. 22, 2025

With the new year comes a round of minimum wage increases. Nineteen states will see a wage bump on Jan. 1, 2026. ...

A network of business owners known as Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, however, welcomes the wage hikes, saying putting more money in the pockets of consumers will increase spending, strengthen local economies and reduce employee turnover.

“Wage increases are a vital part of the solution to the affordability crisis,” said Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, in a statement...

St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune, Dec. 18, 2025

On Jan. 1, Missouri’s minimum wage will increase from $13.75 to $15 – as approved by Missouri voters through Proposition A. Business owners across the state are welcoming the increases, saying they will enable customers to afford more of their products and services and strengthen the economy. Increased wages will also reduce costly employee turnover, boost productivity and improve customer service. ...

Erik Milan, owner of Stick It In Your Ear music store in Springfield, Missouri, said, “We welcome Missouri’s minimum wage increase to $15. When...

By Jelani Gibson, NJ Advance Media
NJ.com/ Star Ledger, Dec. 17, 2025. Also Yahoo News, Lehigh Valley Live, WJRZ-FM, WRAT 95.9, WMTR, New Jersey News Room, more

New Jersey workers are getting a pay bump. The state’s minimum wage will rise by 43 cents to $15.92 per hour on Jan. 1, continuing a steady climb that began under Gov. Phil Murphy. ...

Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, an organization of business owners that supports the wage increase, said higher pay benefits everyone.

“Higher wages strengthen the economy — workers have more buying power and...

By Emily Barnes, USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team
LoHud (Rockland/Westchester Journal News) and Yahoo News,  Dec. 15, 2025. Also Times Herald-Record (Middletown), Port Huron Times, Ithaca Journal, Daily Messenger (Canandaigua), MSN, more

New Yorkers making minimum wage will see more money in their pockets starting in January. ...

In New York City, Westchester and Long Island, minimum wage will rise to $17 per hour in 2026. For all others across New York state, the minimum wage rate will increase to $16 per hour. ...

WATCH VIDEO with Bloomy Cheese and Provisions owner Jessica Galen

Read more LoHud
Times Herald-Record

By Andy Medici
The Business Journals, The Playbook, Dec 3, 2025. In multiple business journals including Kansas City Business Journal, Buffalo Business First, Washington Business Journal, Orlando Business Journal, Denver Business Journal, Pittsburgh Business Times, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Boston Business Journal, L.A. Business First, Phoenix Business Journal, Charlotte Business Journal, Houston Business Journal, Cleveland Business Journal, Chicago Business Journal, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, many more

For a number of business owners, 2026 will bring with it minimum-wage increases.

A combination of existing legislation and new laws, along with automatic increases tied to inflation or...

By Marie Moyer
ABC 17 TV (KMIZ), Columbia, MO, September 1, 2025. Also St. Joseph News Press

While some view Labor Day as an extra day off, local businesses and labor unions recognize the day as a reminder of working citizens. The holiday comes after a flurry of bill signings from Gov. Mike Kehoe's office in July. One of the bills Kehoe signed was House Bill 567, which repeals mandated sick leave requirements from Proposition A. The bill later went into effect on Aug. 28.

"It was a terrible move on their part and shows...

Keisha Lancelin, Host
CBS Atlanta, Focus Atlanta, August 17, 2025

Discussing the importance of raising the minimum wage rate in Georgia with Johnny Martinez, owner of Joystick Gamebar and Mambo Zombi in Atlanta.

WATCH

Indeed Editorial Team
Indeed, July 26, 2025

When you accept a promotion or are applying for a new job, it's important to consider the salary range. Understanding how your salary compares to standard figures like the cost of living and minimum wage can help you assess whether it adequately meets your needs. ...

While minimum wage amounts have continued to increase among many states, many argue that the cost of living is still higher than minimum wage provides, especially for those supporting a family. ... Various groups have lobbied for or against cost of living and minimum...

By Amie Rivers
Iowa Starting Line, July 25, 2025

• Today marks 16 years without an increase in the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 an hour, and which Iowa lawmakers have refused to raise—even though that’s contributed to the lowest average wages in the Midwest and 44th-worst in the nation. (Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, Des Moines Register) ...

Read more

By Amanda Gokee
Boston Globe, July 24, 2025

Thursday marks 16 years since the last boost to New Hampshire’s minimum wage, which is tied to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour that has not increased since 2009. ...

But some business owners believe that’s the wrong approach, arguing that low wages depress consumer spending, ultimately harming businesses and the economy.

Rebecca Hamilton, co-owner of W.S. Badger Company in Gilsum, N.H., is among them. Her company makes mineral sunscreens and other products. Hamilton said a $7.25 minimum wage is bad for New Hampshire’s people...

By Ginger Christ
HR Dive, July 22, 2025. Also Yahoo Finance, CFO Dive.

July 24 marks 16 years since the federal minimum wage last was increased, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. ...

Some businesses, too, support raising the minimum wage. Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, a network of business owners, executives and business organizations, said a higher minimum wage would lead to increased consumer spending, lower turnover and improved productivity.

“Business owners in states still at the $7.25 minimum wage say it is depressing consumer spending and bad for business and...

Op-Ed by Holly Sklar
USA Today, July 17, 2025. Distributed by American Forum. Also in Yahoo News, Indianapolis Star, Des Moines Register, Arizona Republic, Florida Today, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Austin American Statesman, Detroit Free Press, Columbus Dispatch (OH), Cincinnati Enquirer, Colorado Springs Gazette, Reading Eagle (PA), Palm Beach Post, Norman Transcript (OK), Rutland Herald (VT), Ashland Independent (KY), The Forum (Fargo, ND), Community Newspaper Group, CNHI News, many more

When the minimum wage does not go up, it goes down in buying power. The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 per hour since...

By Adam Uzialko
Business.com, July 16, 2025

Paying a “living wage” requires more than meeting state and federal minimum wage requirements. Living in certain communities is more expensive and requires people to earn more to sustain basic life necessities. As an employer, paying a living wage can feel like a burden to the bottom line, but it can be a powerful investment in your people that positively affects business outcomes. ...

“When you’re setting something like the federal minimum wage, you want to consider the averages,” said Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair...

The Kansas City Star Editorial Board, July 13, 2025

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe this past week walked back the paid sick leave protections for workers that a large majority of voters wanted in the 2024 election. Last fall, the Kansas City Star Editorial Board endorsed the initiative, called Proposition A. ...

We have reviewed our notes and interviews with workers and employers who would be affected by the outcome of the vote and scratch our heads at Kehoe’s decision. Not only should the governor stay out of what voters already called for — it doesn’t...

By Jazsmin Halliburton
KMIZ-TV (ABC 17), Columbia, July 10, 2025

Gov. Mike Kehoe has repealed certain provisions of Proposition A, by signing House Bill 567 into law. ...

Yellow Dog Bookstore owner Joe Chevalier has been in business for 12 years and has three part-time employees. He says he will continue to offer paid sick leave, but the overturn is a disappointment.

"I'm really disappointed with the Republicans in the legislature and overturning the will of the voters," Chevalier said.

However, Chevalier said the change in law puts other workers in a tough spot.

"You have to...