Minimum wage on the ballot, legislative agenda
Five states have referendums on raising the minimum wage on Tuesday's election ballots, and legislatures in 10 states and Washington, D.C., this year approved changes in their minimums. A look at the changes and potential changes:
Referendums
Alaska, currently $7.75, would rise to $8.75 Jan. 1
Arkansas, currently $6.25, would rise to $7.50 Jan. 1
Illinois (non-binding, giving voters' opinion only), currently $8.25, would rise to $10
Nebraska, currently $7.25, would rise to $8 Jan. 1
South Dakota, currently $7.25, would rise to $8.50 Jan. 1
Legislative change approved this year, taking effect in 2014
West Virginia, currently $7.25, rises to $8 Dec. 31
Legislative changes approved this year, taking effect in 2015
Connecticut, currently $8.70, rises to $9.15 Jan. 1
Delaware, currently $7.75, rises to $8.25 June 1
Hawaii, currently $7.25, rises to $7.75 Jan. 1
Maryland, currently $7.25, rises to $8 Jan. 1 and $8.25 July 1
Massachusetts, currently $8, rises to $9 Jan. 1
Minnesota, small employers, currently $6.50, rises to $7.25 Aug. 1; large employers, currently $8, rises to $9 Aug. 1
Rhode Island, currently $8, rises to $9 Jan. 1
Vermont, currently $8.73, rises to $9.15 Jan. 1
Washington, D.C., currently $9.50, rises to $10.50 July 1
Legislative change approved this year, taking effect in 2016
Michigan, currently $8.15, rises to $8.50 Jan. 1