A wave of minimum wage increases is surging through nearly 20 states, but in Texas the wage stagnates.
For millions of Americans, the New Year brought the promise of growing paychecks amid a time of growing costs. Nineteen states — both Democratic and Republican majorities — are boosting their minimum wage from the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour.
The surge in wage is “critical for improving affordability,” according to the Economic Policy Institute. This increase, which went into effect on Jan. 1, will aid 8.3 million workers, the progressive think tank said. The economic impact will total $5 billion in increased wages…