TRENTON – Senator Joseph Vitale issued the following statement today on the governor’s veto of legislation (S-15) he sponsored to gradually increase the minimum wage in New Jersey to $15 per hour:
“At $8.38 an hour, the current minimum wage is a poverty wage. We are dedicated to seeing through the effort to provide fair pay for working people, by putting this issue to the voters.
“This is about fairness and the ability of our residents to take care of themselves and their families. The fact is that it’s impossible to get by on a full-time salary of $17,400 a year, and many people who are working two and three jobs are still finding it hard to make ends meet. The status quo is unacceptable.
“I am disappointed the governor vetoed this legislation, but we are fully committed to pursuing a minimum wage increase for our residents until it is implemented.”