By Michael Symons
New Jersey 101.5, December 11, 2018. Also WPG 104.1, WOBM 92.7
A crucial two days are ahead in the debate over raising New Jersey minimum wage to $15 an hour... Staffers for Gov. Phil Murphy and the Legislature’s top two Democrats are set to meet Wednesday. Then on Thursday, Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin plan to hold their first meeting in over two months.
Coughlin, D-Middlesex, last week introduced legislation that was quickly endorsed by Sweeney that would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2024, though for farm, seasonal, young and small-business workers it would take until 2029.
At a Parsippany-Troy Hills news conference Tuesday, Murphy said he is glad there’s a bill and movement but reiterated that he wants changes to the proposal.
“Our precepts continue to be get to $15 responsibly, sooner than later, and get there with as many people, sooner than later, as possible,” Murphy said. ...
Murphy addressed the issue Tuesday in a visit to Earth Friendly Products in Parsippany, which manufactures cleaning products and pays a $17 an hour minimum wage.