CONCORD — The House of Representatives voted 210-145 today to pass HB 186, establishing a minimum wage in New Hampshire. House Majority Leader Doug Ley (D-Jaffrey) released the following statement:
“Relying on the federal government to set New Hampshire’s minimum wage, as we have done since Republicans repealed our minimum wage law in 2011, is an insult to the people of this state. At the federal rate, minimum wage earners cannot afford necessities like rent, heating, food and childcare in high cost-of-living states like New Hampshire. A minimum wage sufficient for Alabama or Tennessee is simply inadequate for New Hampshire.”
“Without this bill, minimum wage Granite Staters will continue to feel the New Hampshire Disadvantage of being the lowest-paid in the region. It is past time that we pass this modest wage increase to bring us back in line with our New England neighbors.”
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