Maryland Reporter, State Roundup, February 11, 2019

WAGE HIKE DEBATED: Maryland lawmakers heard hours of conflicting testimony Friday on whether to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. ...

• Businesses are not monolithic in their views on the proposal and some supporters say opponents are “voices of fear.” Ned Atwater, owner of six restaurants, called for passage of the increases and said it would drive down turnover and training costs for employers, Bryan Sears writes in the Daily Record. The bill proposes increasing the state’s minimum wage to $11 on July 1. The wage would continue to increase by $1 annually through 2023. ...