By Ted Hesson
Politico Morning Shift, Dec 18, 2017
... MIN WAGE TO RISE IN 18 STATES: The minimum wage will go up in 18 mostly blue states in 2018 following a wave of ballot referenda and statehouse legislative action over the past several years. Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Washington and Vermont have all passed minimum wage increases that go into effect across a period of several years. Eight other states — Alaska, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio and South Dakota — will make automatic adjustments to match a higher cost of living.
Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, a Boston-based business network, cheered the rate hikes and said they’ll “boost consumer spending, reduce costly employee turnover and increase productivity and customer satisfaction.” The federal hourly minimum wage ($7.25) remains in place for 21 states. ...