By Sean Salai
Washington Times, April 13, 2026
... Under Ms. Spanberger, Virginia joins more than a dozen other states that pay service workers at least $15 an hour ... The left-leaning Economic Policy Institute projects that 17 states pay at least $15 an hour this year, from $15.15 in Arizona to $17.13 in Washington.
“I don’t agree that raising Virginia’s minimum wage will kill jobs or hurt the economy,” Holly Sklar, CEO of the advocacy group Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, said in an email. “Minimum wage increases boost consumer spending, which boosts businesses and the economy.” ...
Advocates argue that minimum wage hikes foster economic growth, reduce employee turnover and mitigate rising living costs, despite economists insisting they reduce jobs and add to inflation.
“The real question is not whether $15 is too high,” said Angelica Gianchandani, a New York University marketing professor who noted that her state’s economy still grew after increasing the wage floor to $16. “The real question is why it took this long.” ...