TRENTON – Joining Senate President Sweeney’s effort to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, Senator Shirley K. Turner announced that she will join as the co-prime sponsor of the legislation. She released the following statement:
“Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour is about adapting to the changing economic climate. It is clear that the current rate of $8.38 is not enough for a full-time worker to make ends meet. Too many people earning the minimum wage are barely keeping their heads above water. They are living paycheck to paycheck and struggling. This legislation would increase the minimum wage in a responsible way that will give people in our state a chance to live a financially stable life.
“Many of our residents are trying to live a better life, but their circumstances are hindering that opportunity. We are going to give them a helping hand by increasing the minimum wage in New Jersey. Since the governor has rejected past efforts to increase wages for our residents, going directly to the voters is the most effective way to do that.”