By Jackie DeFusco
WRIC ABC 8 News Richmond, Apr 30, 2021
Virginia’s first minimum wage increase in more than a decade takes effect on Saturday, May 1. The new rate will be $9.50 per hour. That’s up from $7.25, a baseline mandated by the federal government in 2009. ...
Liz Kincaid, who co-owns four restaurants in Richmond, supports the minimum wage increase. ...
Buz Grossberg, the owner of Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue, agrees.
“It is incredibly difficult to think about living off of a minimum wage without having a second or a third job,” Grossberg said. “It’s needed. It’s not going to hurt anybody.”
Grossberg said higher wages have helped him reduce turnover and retain loyal employees.
While he acknowledges that a new minimum will come with new costs, Grossberg said it will also level the playing field. ...