PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A state lawmaker has put forward legislation that would increase Rhode Island’s minimum wage to $20 an hour by 2030.
“Over the past few years we have increased our minimum wage to help offset the rising cost of living, helping our working families support themselves and keeping us competitive with our neighboring states,” Rep. David Bennett, D-Warwick, said about the bill. “But it’s important for us to keep that progress going, because the cost of living continues to rise and our minimum wage is not scheduled to increase after this year.”
Currently, the minimum wage is $15 an hour after increasing on Jan. 1 . Gov. Dan McKee signed a bill in 2021 that would increase it to $15 over a four-year period. Bennett was a sponsor for that legislation.
RELATED: RI governor signs bill increasing minimum wage over the next 4 years
In the new bill, the wage would go up to $16 an hour in 2026, $17 in 2027, $18 in 2028, $19 in 2029 and then $20 in 2030…